Abalos Returns to Marcos Cabinet as Secretary Post is Revived

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has brought back former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., a trusted friend and campaign manager, into his inner circle with the revival of a Cabinet Secretary post. Abalos, who lost in the 2025 senatorial race, took his oath before Marcos at the Palace on Wednesday. As Cabinet Secretary, Abalos will be tasked with providing "timely, relevant, and strategic advice on emerging national, local, and international issues affecting the political landscape" to the President. He will also serve as Marcos’ liaison to national government agencies, local government units, political organizations, civil society organizations, and sectoral groups on matters of political concern, as directed by the President. Furthermore, Abalos will head the Strategic Action and Response (Star) Office, exercising supervision and control over its constituent offices, including the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center and the Presidential Action Center. The Star Office was reorganized in August 2023 through Executive Order (EO) No. 38, placing it under the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES). Abalos expressed gratitude for the "continuing opportunity to serve the President, the Administration, and the Filipino people with utmost integrity, dedication, and results." He stated, "I accept this responsibility with humility and a firm commitment to help ensure that the government works efficiently, cohesively, and always in the service of the Filipino people." His priority as Cabinet Secretary will be to strengthen coordination across government agencies, support the effective implementation of the administration’s key programs, and promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, and excellence in public service. "Public service is a shared responsibility. Through unity, cooperation, and hard work, I am confident that we can deliver meaningful and lasting progress for our country," he added. Abalos’ return to government is part of the evolving composition of Marcos’ Cabinet. Recently, former Senator Francis Tolentino was named Labor Secretary, and Professor Kim Robert de Leon was appointed Budget Chief. The appointment of Abalos marks the effective revival of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OCS) or the Cabinet Secretariat, a post Marcos had ordered abolished along with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission in his very first executive order upon taking office on June 30, 2022. At that time, the powers and functions of the OCS were transferred to the Presidential Management Staff (PMS). Prior to Abalos, the last Cabinet secretary was Melvin Matibag, who served in an acting capacity from March to June 2022 under then-President Rodrigo Duterte. Matibag was later appointed director of the National Bureau of Investigation in February. Marcos has yet to issue a new EO reviving the OCS and delineating its functions with that of the PMS and the OES. Speculation about Abalos's return to government had been rife since May 13, after the ban on appointing candidates who lost in the 2025 midterm polls was lifted. While rumors initially suggested he might return to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), possibly to replace Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, President Marcos himself confirmed in June his desire for Abalos to play a more active role in his administration, without the need to ease out an incumbent Cabinet member. "Of course, I want Benhur to play a more active role in government. Of course, he has been there, and he has been helping us in many ways, informally, privately. I wouldn’t mind finding a way for him to help us in an official capacity," Marcos told reporters during his visit to Kazan, Russia. Information source: Inquirer NewsInfo