PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has appointed former Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. as Cabinet secretary, the Palace said on Wednesday, as reported by BusinessWorld. Mr. Abalos took his oath of office on Wednesday afternoon, according to Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro.
Abalos relinquished his post at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to run for senator in the 2025 elections. The appointment to Cabinet secretary, a position that oversees the Office of the President's staff, comes amid the ongoing campaign period.
As Cabinet secretary, Abalos will coordinate policy development and ensure efficient implementation of presidential directives. He previously served as DILG secretary since June 2022 and was a key figure in the administration's anti-illegal drug campaign and local governance reforms.