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Advocates Philippines
Marcos Picks Youngest-Ever Budget Chief
Photo credit: Boy Scout PH
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed 43-year-old Kim Robert de Leon as the new secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, making him the youngest person ever to lead the agency and the youngest member of the Cabinet.
Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun welcomed the appointment on Monday, saying the administration is bringing “young blood” and a fresh perspective into government at a crucial time for the economy.
“The President brings in young blood and fresh outlook in his Cabinet with Secretary de Leon’s appointment,” Khonghun said.
Before joining the Cabinet, De Leon served as an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He also previously held key government posts, serving as undersecretary at the DBM from September 2021 to July 2022 and later at the Department of Transportation from July 2022 to January 2024.
Khonghun said De Leon’s mix of academic background and government experience could help strengthen fiscal planning as the administration faces economic pressures, including rising fuel costs and slowing growth.
“We hope he brings to DBM fresh energy, vitality and ideas, which he will need in helping the President put together a national spending program that will address the ongoing oil crisis and economic slowdown, and provide assistance and relief to our suffering people,” he said.
The lawmaker noted that De Leon takes over the agency as preparations for the proposed 2027 national budget continue ahead of the President’s State of the Nation Address in July.
“Though the budget call starts in the first quarter, he still can have his inputs in the preparation of the spending program. We expect to soon see his imprint on budgeting and fiscal management,” Khonghun added.
Malacañang said De Leon graduated magna cum laude from UP in 2014 with a degree in public administration. He later earned a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the same university in 2019.
He also topped the 2016 Environmental Planning Licensure Examination and completed a certificate program in business process management at the Queensland University of Technology.
Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun welcomed the appointment on Monday, saying the administration is bringing “young blood” and a fresh perspective into government at a crucial time for the economy.
“The President brings in young blood and fresh outlook in his Cabinet with Secretary de Leon’s appointment,” Khonghun said.
Before joining the Cabinet, De Leon served as an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He also previously held key government posts, serving as undersecretary at the DBM from September 2021 to July 2022 and later at the Department of Transportation from July 2022 to January 2024.
Khonghun said De Leon’s mix of academic background and government experience could help strengthen fiscal planning as the administration faces economic pressures, including rising fuel costs and slowing growth.
“We hope he brings to DBM fresh energy, vitality and ideas, which he will need in helping the President put together a national spending program that will address the ongoing oil crisis and economic slowdown, and provide assistance and relief to our suffering people,” he said.
The lawmaker noted that De Leon takes over the agency as preparations for the proposed 2027 national budget continue ahead of the President’s State of the Nation Address in July.
“Though the budget call starts in the first quarter, he still can have his inputs in the preparation of the spending program. We expect to soon see his imprint on budgeting and fiscal management,” Khonghun added.
Malacañang said De Leon graduated magna cum laude from UP in 2014 with a degree in public administration. He later earned a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the same university in 2019.
He also topped the 2016 Environmental Planning Licensure Examination and completed a certificate program in business process management at the Queensland University of Technology.
May 18, 2026
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