By Brian Campued
Candidates who did not win in the 2025 midterm elections may get government posts under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet, as the one-year appointment ban on poll losers had already lapsed last May 13.
During the “Kapihan with the Media” in Japan on Friday, Marcos was asked if the public can expect new appointees soon, to which he answered: “Possibly.”
The President stressed that there were many losing candidates who are capable of serving in government.
“Marami namang magagaling diyan… Maraming iba na tumakbo for whatever position na sa palagay ko magagaling at makakapag-contribute sa pamahalaan,” he said.
“So, don’t be surprised if we start—we get more appointments from those candidates who ran in the last election who didn’t make it. Sayang naman. We have to get the best talent that we can,” he added.
Recently, former senator Francis Tolentino was appointed as the new secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment following Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma’s resignation due to health reasons.
Tolentino ran under the “Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas” senatorial slate promoted by Marcos in the 2025 polls.
Under Section 6 of Article 9 (b) of the 1987 Constitution, those who lost in any election are prohibited from being appointed to “any office in the government or any government-owned or -controlled corporations or in any of their subsidiaries” within one year after that election.
Meanwhile, Marcos Jr. dismissed rumors of a possible leadership change in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), stressing that he remains satisfied with the performance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
This, as concerns were raised by the public over fugitives of justice allegedly evading arrest under Remulla’s leadership of the department that oversees the leading law enforcement agency in the country, the Philippine National Police.
“I don’t know why that rumor went around. I think somebody wants his job. Kaya kinakalat na matatanggal na siya para siguro ang inaasahan nila sila ‘yung mailagay. Pero wala kaming pinaplano na ganyan,” Marcos Jr. said. (with report from Clay Pardilla / PTV News)
-jpv
