Tokyo: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that candidates who do not succeed in the 2025 elections may be considered for government appointments once the one-year restriction on appointing election candidates lapses.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized the potential of many individuals who ran in the previous elections, stating that their abilities should be utilized in government roles despite not winning electoral seats. Speaking in Tokyo, Japan, he noted that qualified individuals from various electoral positions have the capacity to contribute significantly to the government.

The 1987 Constitution, under Section 6 of Article 9 (b), currently prevents defeated election candidates from being appointed to government positions within a year post-election to avoid undue influence. Marcos highlighted that once this restriction is lifted, the executive branch could appoint losing candidates from the 2025 national elections if they fulfill the necessary qualifications.

President Marcos refrained from specifying which government positions might be offered but mentioned his ongoing efforts to find competent individuals for public service. He indicated that appointments could include candidates who participated in the last election but did not win, emphasizing the importance of harnessing available talent.

The end of the one-year ban has already facilitated the appointment of former senator Francis Tolentino as acting secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment.