PHPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has begun appointing politicians who lost the 2025 national elections to government positions, despite a one-year ban on such appointments that expired on May 13, 2026. These appointments include Benhur Abalos, appointed as Cabinet secretary on July 8, 2026; Francis Tolentino, named acting labor secretary after former chief Bienvenido Laguesma retired; and Lino Cayetano, appointed as general manager of PTV-4. Marcos indicated plans to continue appointing losing candidates, stating they could receive 'a fresh mandate.' Abalos previously served in the Marcos Cabinet before running for senator and losing, while Tolentino, part of the Marcos-backed political alliance, failed to win re-election. Both candidates were associated with prominent political families.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the appointments of losing candidates as a continuation of Marcos' strategy to provide them with opportunities, which aligns with a right-leaning perspective that emphasizes loyalty to the ruling administration. The focus on Marcos' active involvement in selecting these candidates
