Directive to Abalos: Go around PH to represent Marcos

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed newly-appointed Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. to go around the country to represent him and ensure that the people truly benefit from the services of the government.

Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said this in a press briefing on Thursday, noting that Abalos’ appointment was Marcos’ way of “redefining” the Cabinet Secretary post pursuant to his authority to reorganize the Executive branch, particularly the Office of the President, and his plenary power to appoint.

“Ang function niya ay hindi pang-CabSec. Ang function niya is to help the President. So, ‘yun ang magiging function niya---siya ‘yung iikot sa buong bansa para mas mapalawak pa at ma-reach out ang mga kababayan natin,” she explained.

(His function is not technically that of a Cabinet Secretary. His function is to assist the President. That is what his role will be—he will travel across the country to further expand our services and reach more of our citizens.)

Castro also clarified that Abalos’ new position is different from that of Antonio Lagdameo Jr., the Special Assistant to the President.

She also said that there is no need for the President to issue an executive order for Abalos’ position given that he exercised his plenary power to appoint government officials.

“Instead of a CabSec focused on managing the President’s Cabinet meetings, ang utos ni Presidente kay CabSec Benhur ay siguraduhing nararamdaman at napapakinabangan ng bawat Pilipino ang mga serbisyo ng gobyerno,” Castro said.

(Instead of a CabSec focused on managing the President's Cabinet meetings, the President's order to CabSec Benhur is to make sure that every Filipino feels and benefits from government services.)

“And as CabSec, President Marcos Jr. also directed him to go around the country to represent him and call on the Cabinet members to help address the concerns of the public. All these tasks are embodied in CabSec Benhur’s terms of references attached to his appointment,” she added.

Malacañang announced Wednesday that Marcos appointed Abalos, former secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), as Cabinet Secretary. Abalos took his oath before Marcos later in the day.

Abalos stepped down as DILG chief in 2024 to run for senator during the 2025 midterm elections as part of the President’s slate, but he lost.

Prior to the appointment, Marcos previously admitted that he wants Abalos to “play a more active part” in his administration.

Castro said that Abalos was not considered for any other positions in the government.

Rumors previously circulated that Abalos might be reinstated as DILG secretary or take the helm of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Ito po ang ibinigay sa kanya dahil makikita naman po ninyo na ang tiwala ng Pangulo kay CabSec Benhur Abalos ay buong-buo. Kaya itong function na ito ang ibinigay sa kanya ay para mas mapalawak pa ng Pangulo ang pagsisilbi at makaikot si CabSec Benhur Abalos sa bawat rehiyon para mas maramdaman nga ng bawat kababayan natin ang tulong ng gobyerno,” Castro said.

(This position was given to him because, as you can see, the President has great trust in CabSec Benhur Abalos. By entrusting him with this function, the President seeks to expand the government’s service and enable Abalos to visit every region, ensuring that the people truly feel these services.) —RF, GMA News