QUEZON CITY – In a poignant moment of remembrance, officials and employees from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) bid a beautiful goodbye to the late NLRC Chairman Bartolome “Dean Bart” Carale.  Secretary of Labor and Employment Bienvenido E. Laguesma and Acting Chairperson of the NLRC Julia Cecily Coching-Sosito led a joint necrological service to honor the memory of the esteemed former Chairman.

The solemn event, held to celebrate Chairman Carale’s life, provided an opportunity for DOLE and NLRC officials and employees to share their heartwarming anecdotes, witty stories, and cherished memories of the late Chairman.  Said event paid homage to the three distinct roles that Chairman Carale embodied throughout his life: as an NLRC Chairman, a Dean and Professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, and as a beloved father to his cherished family.

In addition to his notable contributions to the labor sector, Chairman Carale’s esteemed career also extended to the realm of education.  Sometime in 1999, Chairman Carale assumed the role of Undersecretary for Legal Affairs within the Department of Education.

Chairman Carale, the inaugural independent Chairman of the NLRC from 1989 to 1997, peacefully departed on August 6, 2023, at the age of 90.  His legacy of commitment to labor relations and his substantial contributions to the field will forever be remembered by those whose lives he touched.

The role of host for the necrological service was graciously undertaken by Commissioner Cecilio Alejandro C. Villanueva, who had served as Executive Assistance to Chairman Carale.  Commissioner Villanueva regaled the attendees with his fond and amusing recollections of their time together.

Notably, Chairman Carale’s commitment to public service was truly exceptional, as his professional journey encompassed various vital sectors.  Throughout his multifaceted career, Chairman Carale left an indelible mark in various fields, demonstrating his profound influence in shaping the nation’s legal and educational landscape.  

Among those present to honor Chairman Carale were DOLE Undersecretaries Carmela I. Torres, Atty. Benjo Santos M. Benavidez, Atty. Felipe N. Egargo, Jr., and Atty. Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr.  Additionally, NLRC Presiding Commissioner Grace M. Venus, along with Commissioners Dolores M. Peralta-Beley, Hernan G. Nicdao, and Mary Ann F. Plata-Daytia, were also present to offer their final respects.

The collective tribute conveyed the depth of respect and admiration felt by all those who had the privilege of working alongside Chairman Carale, highlighting the significant impact he had on the labor landscape and the lives of countless individuals. END