The Commission on Appointments’ (CA) has finally confirmed the ad interim appointment of Department of Health (DOH) chief Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday, December 5.

The CA, led by its chairman Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, approved the ad interim appointment of Tiu Laurel whom the President appointed in November 3.

Prior to his appointment, Tiu Laurel served as president of Frabelle Fishing Corp., known as one of the top fishing companies in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Tiu Laurel’s background in the private sector attracted questions from the agricultural sector but Marcos defended his decision to appoint Laurel saying it is high-time for the country to “have someone who understands very well the problems that the agriculture sector is facing.”

During the deliberations on his nomination, Tiu Laurel said he views the country’s problems on high food prices, low food production, broken food supply chains, lack of irrigation and even climate change and geopolitical disruptions as a challenge.

“And I shall apply my knowledge and experience in building a diversified global company to this achievable goal. I shall apply these lessons to serve our larger family of the Filipino people,” Tiu Laurel said.

Under his watch, he said the DA will get the help of biologists, data scientists, and academics in dealing with avian flu, African swine fever, red tide poisoning, as well as disease-resistant varieties, El Niño-adaptable seeds and organic fertilizer.

“We will tap national and even international law enforcers in stopping food hoarders, price manipulators and smugglers,” he said.

Tiu Laurel also said he is ready to execute the President’s orders of “cleansing” the ranks of the DA and to “go after the smugglers and increase food production.”

“My vision for agriculture is to make it sustainable, profitable, and appealing to the younger generation. While rice production remains a priority, I see vast potential in livestock, poultry, fisheries and high-value crops, including seaweeds—food that demand government support,” the agriculture chief said.

The CA also finally recommended Herbosa’s appointment as DOH chief after the CA committee on health bypassed his confirmation as health secretary last September due to “lack of material time.”

Marcos reappointed Herbosa also in September 2023. No member of the committee had objected to Herbosa’s appointment.