PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Local Government chief Benhur Abalos as Cabinet secretary, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Abalos will be serving as one of the chief executive’s key advisers on political and governance matters.
Among his responsibilities would be to assist Marcos “by providing timely, relevant and strategic advice on emerging national, local and international issues affecting the political landscape.”
Abalos, who served as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority during the previous administration, may also be directed by the president to serve as a conduit “to national government agencies, local government units, political organizations, groups or parties, civil society organizations and sectoral groups on matters of political concern and also serve as head of strategic action and response office, and for this purpose exercise supervision and control over its constituent offices,” Castro said.
He is also tapped to head the Strategic Action and Response Office, and exercise supervision and control over its constituent offices.
Abalos’ appointment came more than a year after the appointment ban for candidates who lost in the 2025 midterm elections lapsed and amid chatter he was set to make a comeback in the Department of the Interior and Local Government to replace Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
The former Mandaluyong City local chief executive was one of those who ran for the Senate under the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate in the May 2025 midterm elections.
Last month, Marcos disclosed he wants Abalos to again play an active role in his administration but clarified it would not be to displace any member of his Cabinet.
Abalos’ return to the government signals the revival of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary after the president, upon assuming office in 2022, issued an Executive Order (EO) reorganizing the Executive Office to consolidate management operations.
Castro said there is still no confirmation that Marcos would issue an EO reviving the Cabinet Secretariat.
