Palace: No new EO needed for Abalos' Cabinet secretary appointment

Malacañang on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not need to issue a new executive order to appoint Benhur Abalos Jr. as Cabinet secretary, despite the position having been abolished at the start of the administration in 2022.

"According to the Office of the Executive Secretary, there is no need for an executive order because what the President exercised was his plenary power to appoint," Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a briefing.

Castro said Abalos' primary task is to ensure government programs and services are felt by Filipinos nationwide.

"Instead of a Cabinet secretary focused on managing the President's Cabinet meetings, the President's directive to Cabinet Secretary Benhur is to ensure that every Filipino feels and benefits from government services," Castro said.

She added that Abalos has also been instructed to represent the President during visits across the country and coordinate with Cabinet members in addressing public concerns.

"All these tasks are embodied in Cabinet Secretary Benhur's terms of reference attached to his appointment," Castro said.

According to Castro, the President's decision reflects his trust in Abalos and aims to expand the administration's regional reach to improve the delivery of government services.

She also described the appointment as effectively creating a redefined version of the Cabinet secretary position.

"Pursuant to his authority to reorganize the executive branch, particularly the Office of the President, and second, the plenary power to appoint. The President has the plenary power to appoint," Castro said.

Asked why the President revived the Cabinet secretary position, Castro said Marcos wants an official dedicated to bringing government services closer to the public, rather than one whose role is limited to managing Cabinet meetings.