Former Senator Francis Tolentino has been appointed as the acting secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in the Philippines, replacing Bienvenido Laguesma, who resigned due to health issues. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administered Tolentino's oath at Malacañang, officially integrating him into the Cabinet. Tolentino, 66, will oversee critical labor policies and programs as the Dole faces significant challenges, including rising wage concerns, employment quality, and the effects of artificial intelligence on jobs. Labor groups and lawmakers have called on Tolentino to address these issues promptly, emphasizing the need for real structural changes rather than just a leadership transition. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines welcomed his appointment with cautious optimism, urging him to prioritize income support for minimum wage earners and enforce stricter regulations against contractualization. Tolentino previously served in the Senate from 2019 to 2025, where he chaired several committees and authored important labor-related legislation.