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Marcos Appoints Benhur Abalos As Cabinet Secretary
Photo credit: PCO
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. as the country's new Cabinet Secretary, marking his return to the administration more than a year after his unsuccessful Senate bid in the 2025 midterm elections.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, who said Abalos took his oath of office before the President at Malacañang later in the day.
As Cabinet Secretary, Abalos will help coordinate the work of the Cabinet, facilitate discussions on key government policies and programs, and strengthen coordination among executive departments in support of the President's priorities.
He will also provide strategic advice on national, local, and international issues affecting the country's political landscape and may serve as the President's liaison with national government agencies, local government units, political organizations, civil society groups, and other sectors.
President Marcos welcomed Abalos back to government service during the oath-taking ceremony.
"We are fortunate to have Secretary Benhur Abalos back in the Cabinet. His experience in public service and ability to bring people together will help ensure that government programs are carried out efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the Filipino people," the President said.
Abalos previously served as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) from 2022 until 2024 before stepping down to run for the Senate under the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the 2025 elections. He finished 16th in the senatorial race.
Before leading the DILG, Abalos served as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), mayor of Mandaluyong City, representative of the city's lone district, and chairperson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
His appointment also marks the return of the Cabinet Secretary position, which was abolished under Executive Order No. 1 at the start of the Marcos administration in 2022 as part of the government's reorganization. The office's functions had since been transferred to the Presidential Management Staff.
With Abalos now serving as Cabinet Secretary, the Palace said the administration aims to further strengthen coordination among government agencies and ensure the effective implementation of the President's priority programs.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, who said Abalos took his oath of office before the President at Malacañang later in the day.
As Cabinet Secretary, Abalos will help coordinate the work of the Cabinet, facilitate discussions on key government policies and programs, and strengthen coordination among executive departments in support of the President's priorities.
He will also provide strategic advice on national, local, and international issues affecting the country's political landscape and may serve as the President's liaison with national government agencies, local government units, political organizations, civil society groups, and other sectors.
President Marcos welcomed Abalos back to government service during the oath-taking ceremony.
"We are fortunate to have Secretary Benhur Abalos back in the Cabinet. His experience in public service and ability to bring people together will help ensure that government programs are carried out efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the Filipino people," the President said.
Abalos previously served as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) from 2022 until 2024 before stepping down to run for the Senate under the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the 2025 elections. He finished 16th in the senatorial race.
Before leading the DILG, Abalos served as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), mayor of Mandaluyong City, representative of the city's lone district, and chairperson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
His appointment also marks the return of the Cabinet Secretary position, which was abolished under Executive Order No. 1 at the start of the Marcos administration in 2022 as part of the government's reorganization. The office's functions had since been transferred to the Presidential Management Staff.
With Abalos now serving as Cabinet Secretary, the Palace said the administration aims to further strengthen coordination among government agencies and ensure the effective implementation of the President's priority programs.
Jul 8, 2026
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