Silvestre Bello III is currently the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment. He previously held the positions of Secretary and Undersecretary in the Department of Justice under the C. Aquino and Ramos Administrations, Solicitor General from 1996 to 1998, and Secretary to the Cabinet from 2008 to 2010. Aside from being a public servant, he is also a lawyer, human rights advocate and a peace worker. He was the Cabinet Oversight Officer for IP and NCIP Matters from 2008 to 2010 and was the Chairman of the GRP Negotiating Panel for Talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF from 2001 to 2004. He is also part of organizations such as the Free Legal Assistance Group and International Initiatives Dialogue, and currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Camp John Hay Development Corporation, CAP Realty, Inc., College Assurance Plan, Comprehensive Annuity Plan & Pension Corp., CAP Life Insurance Corp., and CAP General Insurance Corp. Bello obtained his law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University.