Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 15) — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he was bowing out of the senatorial race and will instead focus on helping workers displaced by the pandemic.
“I find it urgent to address the needs of our displaced workers so I’m no longer participating in the polls,” Bello said in a statement on Monday.
Bello replaced Marianito Roque, also a former secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, who withdrew from the senatorial race on Saturday due to personal reasons.
Bello said he would stay on as DOLE head and continue with his responsibilities at the International Labor Organization (ILO), where he is the principal representative of the Philippine government. The ILO is a tripartite agency whose constituents include member states, trade unions and employers’ groups.
