politics
Marcos names former DILG chief Abalos as Cabinet secretary
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Benhur Abalos as the first secretary of his Cabinet on Wednesday. The role involves coordinating Cabinet work and advising on political issues.
Jul 8, 2:18 AM·1m read1 source
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed former Department of the Interior and Local Government chief Benhur Abalos as Cabinet secretary on Wednesday, July 8. Abalos took his oath the same afternoon. The appointment came after the one-year ban on naming defeated 2025 candidates expired in May.
Abalos had resigned from the DILG in 2024 to run for the Senate and finished 16th with 11.5 million votes.
Role and responsibilities Malacañang said Abalos will coordinate Cabinet work, facilitate policy discussions, and strengthen links among executive departments. He will also advise the President on national, local, and international issues affecting the political landscape.
Abalos will manage the President's engagements with national agencies, local government units, and political groups. He will serve as the link between the President and civil society organizations on political matters. The former Mandaluyong mayor will head the Strategic Action and Response Office, which operates Malacañang's complaints centers.
Background The Cabinet secretary position was last held by Melvin Matibag under the previous administration. Matibag now leads the National Bureau of Investigation. Abalos previously served as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson under former President Rodrigo Duterte before becoming Marcos' campaign manager in 2022.
