Metro Manila, Philippines, May 18 ------ Presumptive president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos asked former Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and overseas Filipino workers advocate Toots Ople to be part of his administration, his camp said on May 17.
In a media briefing, Marcos' spokesperson Vic Rodriguez confirmed that the presidential race frontrunner has recently offered to Laguesma and Ople the jobs as secretaries of the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Migrant Workers, respectively. Both Laguesma and Ople have yet to confirm whether or not they will accept the posts offered, according to Rodriguez.
"Humihingi lang sila ng kaunting panahon na ma-konsulta at makausap 'yung kanilang mga mahal sa buhay at 'yung mga taong kanilang pinaniniwalaan at pinakikinggan at hihingi ng payo," he told reporters. Marcos' camp also acknowledged the challenge of bringing the two back to government service when they already have established careers in the private sector.
Laguesma previously served under the administration of former president Joseph Estrada. Ople, on the other hand, founded the non-profit organization Blas Ople Policy Center. Rodriguez, meanwhile, stressed that the selection process to determine other Cabinet members for the incoming administration is still underway.
Source: cnnphilippines.com