President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has appointed several losing candidates from the 2025 national elections to new government posts following the expiration of a one-year ban on such appointments.The 1987 Constitution prohibits appointing defeated candidates to public offices, but this restriction ended on May 13, 2026.

Marcos has since filled key roles with these politicians, including Benhur Abalos as Cabinet secretary, Francis Tolentino as acting labor secretary, and Lino Cayetano as PTV-4 general manager.Abalos, a former DILG chief, previously ran for senator but lost to 16th place.Tolentino, who served as mayor of Tagaytay City, was appointed after his failed Senate bid.Cayetano, a film director turned politician, replaced Malou Choa-Fagar at PTV-4 following a family feud in the Senate.

These appointments reflect Marcos' strategy to integrate former candidates into governance despite their electoral losses, signaling potential future roles for other losing contenders.