No EO needed for Abalos appointment — Palace

Malacañang on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not need to issue a new Executive Order (EO) appointing Benhur Abalos Jr. as Cabinet secretary despite the position having been abolished at the start of his administration in 2022.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the appointment was valid under the President’s constitutional authority to reorganize the Office of the President and exercise his plenary power to appoint officials.

“According to the Office of the Executive Secretary, there is no need for an executive order because the President merely exercised his plenary power to appoint,” Castro said.

She said Abalos’ functions are defined in the terms of reference attached to his appointment.

Unlike previous Cabinet secretaries, Castro said Abalos has been tasked to travel around the country to ensure that government programs and services are reaching local communities.

“Instead of a Cabinet secretary focused on managing Cabinet meetings, the President instructed Cabinet Secretary Benhur to make sure government services are felt and benefited from by every Filipino,” she said.

Abalos has also been directed to represent the President during official engagements and coordinate with Cabinet members to address public concerns raised in the regions.

Castro said Marcos has full confidence in Abalos and wants him to help expand the administration’s reach outside Metro Manila.

She added the appointment effectively redefined the role of the Cabinet secretary under the current administration.

Asked whether the move signals a reorganization of the Office of the President, Castro said the objective is to improve the delivery of government services by assigning Abalos a field-oriented role rather than limiting him to coordinating Cabinet meetings.