Malacañang said Thursday there is no need to revive the abolished Office of the Cabinet Secretary or create a new office following the appointment of Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. as Cabinet secretary.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Abalos will help bring government services closer to communities by going around the country on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Castro clarified that Abalos’ new role is different from the previous Cabinet secretary post, which involved managing Cabinet meetings and facilitating communication between the President and department secretaries.
She also said the appointment does not overlap with the functions of the Special Assistant to the President, a post currently held by Antonio Lagdameo Jr.
Castro defended the appointment, saying Marcos wants to make government services more effective and more visible on the ground by sending trusted officials to the regions.
“The President visits every corner of the Philippines almost daily. So, with the help of Secretary Benhur Abalos, even more areas can be visited—places that the President might not be able to visit,” she added.
Castro said the Office of the Executive Secretary has determined that no executive order is needed to create a new office or revive the previous Office of the Cabinet Secretary.
“According sa Office of the Executive Secretary, hindi kailangan ng executive order, dahil po ang ginawa lamang po ng Pangulo ay in-exercise niya ang kanyang plenary power to appoint,” Castro said.
“According to the Office of the Executive Secretary, an executive order is not necessary, because the President simply exercised his plenary power to appoint,” she added.
Castro said the appointment was made pursuant to the President’s authority to reorganize the executive branch, particularly the Office of the President, and his plenary power to appoint officials.
Marcos earlier welcomed Abalos “back to government service” after the former interior secretary took his oath before the President on Wednesday.
“His experience in public administration and his dedication to public service will be valuable as we continue to strengthen coordination across government and deliver on our commitments to the Filipino people,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.
Abalos served as Marcos’ interior secretary from 2022 to 2024 before resigning to run for senator under Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the 2025 elections. He lost in the senatorial race.
He previously served as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority under the Duterte administration and held elective posts as mayor, congressman, and councilor of Mandaluyong City.