The Palace clarified on Thursday that newly-installed Cabinet Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. has taken on a role that will “redefine” the duties of the position, henceforth primarily representing the President on official excursions around the country and calling on Cabinet members to address public concerns.
“Iba po kasi ang posisyon na ibinigay ng Pangulo kay CabSec Benhur Abalos. CabSec Behur’s appointment is the President’s way of redefining the CabSec position, pursuant to his authority to reorganize the executive branch, particularly the Office of the President. And, second, the President has the plenary power to appoint,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press conference.
“Instead of a CabSec focus 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,” she explained.
Castro confirmed that Abalos’ responsibilities will differ from that of resigned Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. and that of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary abolished in 2022.
She reiterated that Abalos was tasked with aiding as many Filipinos as possible.
“Mas bibigyan kasi ng focus, lalo na ngayon, ang pagbibigay ng tulong para mas maabot natin ang mga kababayan natin,” Castro told the media.
“Ang mga Cabinet secretaries natin ay may kanya-kanyang trabaho. Ang Pangulo po ay halos araw-araw pong umiikot sa lahat ng sulok ng Pilipinas. So sa tulong po ni Secretary Benhur Abalos, mas marami pang mapupuntahan na maaaring hindi napuntahan ng Pangulo,” she clarified.
The Palace official said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. need not issue an executive order to formally establish this position, as Abalos’ appointment was merely an exercise of Marcos’ plenary power.
Castro said Marcos has placed “full” trust in Abalos.
Abalos, who previously served as the secretary for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), was sworn in as Cabinet Secretary on Wednesday afternoon.
