The Commission on Appointments has approved on Tuesday, August 20 the ad interim appointment of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

Committee on Labor, Employment, Social Welfare, and Migrant Workers chairperson Rep. Mercedes Alvarez earlier approved the motion to endorse Cacdac’s appointment at the committee level.

Last May, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reappointed Cacdac as DMW secretary after Congress bypassed his appointment when it adjourned sine die.

Cacdac’s confirmation, according to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, was deferred “due to lack of material time.”

Sen. Grace Poe, in her co-sponsorship speech on Cacdac’s appointment said the DMW secretary is one lawyer who dedicated most of his professional life to working for the benefit of the country’s labor sector, especially the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“His vast understanding of labor and migration policies, coupled with his passion for serving our kababayans here and abroad, is truly worthy of admiration by everyone in the service,” Poe said.

Cacdac has over 23 years of experience in the public service, serving in significant positions at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

He was first designated as undersecretary, and eventually as Officer-In-Charge, of the newly established Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Cacdac’s most notable stints were being the Administrator POEA and OWWA.

Sen. Joel Villanueva also hailed the confirmation of Cacdac’s appointment, saying it is a “well-deserved appointment.”

“Hindi rin po matatawaran ang karanasan ni Sec. Hans sa larangan ng serbisyo publiko para sa ating mga manggagawang Pilipino, lalo na sa ating mga OFWs (Secretary Hans experience in the field of public service for our Filipino workers is remarkable especially for our OFWs),” Villanueva said.