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Marcos wooing Laguesma, Ople to his Cabinet

Philippines | National

Marcos wooing Laguesma, Ople to his Cabinet

By Ellson Quismorio

The camp of presumptive president Bongbong Marcos has identified two personalities that the UniTeam bet wants to work in his Cabinet.

Presumptive president Bongbong Marcos (Ali Vicoy/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Marcos spokesperson and chief-of-staff, lawyer Vic Rodriguez identified the two as Bienvenido Laguesma and Susan "Toots" Ople.

Speaking in a press conference at the BBM headquarters in Mandaluyong City Tuesday afternoon, May 17, Rodriguez said Marcos spoke with both Laguesma and Ople before leaving for Australia, where the former senator is currently on vacation with his family.

Rodriguez said Laguesma is being recruited for the position of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary, while Ople is being envisioned as the chief of the newly-created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Laguesma formerly headed DOLE from 1998 to 2001. Toots is the daughter of the late Senator Blas Ople.

Laguesma and Ople have yet to formally accept the job offers.

At any rate, Rodriguez described their conversation with Marcos as "very warm" and that the two "were honored" to be given the offers.

According to Rodriguez, it's sometimes hard to convince people from the private sector to leave their jobs temporarily so they may serve in government.

He further said that personalities being recruited or interviewed by the Marcos camp aren't necessarily unwilling to join his Cabinet; instead, they just need ample time to prepare their families in case they decide to take up the offer.

So far, the only confirmed members of Marcos's incoming Cabinet are presumptive vice president Sara Duterte as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary and Benhur Abalos as Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos susan toots ople 51722 Cabinet vic rodriguez DMW dole

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