The Honourable
Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Laurel in November 2023
46th Secretary of Agriculture
Assumed office
November 3, 2023
PresidentBongbong Marcos
Preceded byBongbong Marcos
Personal details
Born
Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.

1966 or 1967 (age 56–57)
NationalityFilipino
Military service
Allegiance Philippines
Branch/servicePhilippine Navy
RankCaptain Captain (reserve)
Commander Commander (reserve)

Francisco "Kiko" P. Tiu Laurel Jr. (born 1966 or 1967[1]) is a Filipino billionaire and a fishing tycoon who currently serves as the Philippine Secretary of Agriculture since 2023.[2] He was also the President of the Frabelle Fishing Corporation, a deep-sea fishing company operating in the Asia-Pacific region.

Prior to his appointment, he served as President of the Agusan Power Corporation, which operates the Lake Mainit Hydro Electric Power plant in Agusan del Norte, which generates 24.9 megawatts. He also served as chairman of the World Tuna Purse Seine Organization, which aims to develop sustainable resource management for global fishing operations. He also serves as captain and commander in the Naval Affiliated Reserve Force NCR of the Philippine Navy.[3] He also served as the honorary consul of the Consulate of the Federated States of Micronesia in the Philippines since 2006.[4]

Early life and education

Francisco "Kiko" Tiu Laurel Jr. was born to Francisco Tiu Laurel Sr. and Bella Tiu Laurel.[5] As a teenager, Laurel was involved in the Frabelle Fishing Company, and became a full-time employee at 20, where he started in the Engineering department before moving into sales and leadership.[6]

He did not finish a college degree, saying that he had dropped out at the age of 19 to find a job that would support his first child.[7][8]

Career

Frabelle Fishing Corporation

Laurel became the president of the Frabelle Fishing Corporation in 1985 and its director in 2010.[9][10] The family-owned business, which was established by Laurel's parents in 1966, is engaged in a variety of business interests in the agricultural and fisheries industry, such as deep-sea fishing, aquaculture, canning, meat and seafood processing, cold-chain network, shipbuilding and repair, and power generation.[9] Frabelle operates in the Asia-Pacific region and supplies domestically in the Philippines and internationally.[11]

Concurrently, Laurel served as President of the Confederation of the Philippine Tuna Industry from 2002 to 2006, director of the Interland Deep Sea Fishing Sector, director of the World Tuna Purse Seine Organization, and chairman of the Processing Sector of Bangus (Milkfish) Council of the Philippines.

Political involvements

In 2022, Laurel donated ₱30 million to the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas for the presidential campaign of Bongbong Marcos, establishing himself as the top donor. Additionally, he made notable contributions of ₱20 million and nearly ₱8.75 million for the successful senatorial campaigns of Juan Miguel Zubiri and Robin Padilla, respectively.[10]

Secretary of Agriculture

In 2023, Laurel was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as Secretary of Agriculture.[11] The post was previously held by Marcos himself.[4] Prior to his appointment, Laurel divested his interests from his companies, following concerns of conflict of interest with the position.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Taculao, Patricia Bianca S. (November 4, 2023). "Getting to know the new DA chief, Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr". Manila Standard. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  2. ↑ Philippines, Esquire (October 2, 2023). "Who Is Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the Tycoon Set To Be the New Agriculture Chief?". Esquire. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  3. ↑ Unite, Betheena (November 3, 2023). "Meet new Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Manahan, Job (November 3, 2023). "Marcos gives up agri portfolio, appoints fishing tycoon as agriculture chief". ABS-CBN News.
  5. ↑ Gozum, Iya (November 3, 2023). "Who is Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the new DA chief?". Rappler. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  6. ↑ Ona, James (2016). "What A Catch" (PDF). Theceomagazine.com. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Agri chief clarifies educational background: 'I quit school, sea became my university'". ABS-CBN. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  8. ↑ Cardinez, Mabel Anne (November 12, 2023). "New DA chief did not study in UST—registrar". The Varsitarian. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Smith, C. (November 3, 2023). "Who is Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr? Quick backgrounder about the new DA chief". Interaksyon. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Aurelio, Julie M.; Corrales, Nestor (November 4, 2023). "Tycoon, Marcos boyhood pal Laurel gets agri post". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Marcos appoints fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as new Agriculture chief". CNN Philippines. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  12. ↑ Gutierrez, Pia (November 3, 2023). "Palace: New agri chief 'divested interests from companies'". ABS-CBN News.
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