President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday appointed former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. as the new Cabinet Secretary, Malacañang announced.

In a press statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the appointment and said Abalos would immediately take his oath of office.

“Mayroong anunsyo ang Palasyo. Ngayong hapon ay itinalaga ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. si dating DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. bilang Cabinet Secretary. Nagsilbi bilang kalihim ng DILG si Ginoong Abalos mula 2022 hanggang 2024. Mamaya po ang oath-taking,” Castro said.

The announcement came just moments after Castro denied reports during the regular Malacañang press briefing that Abalos would be sworn in as Cabinet Secretary.

Asked to confirm circulating information about the appointment, Castro replied:

“Wala pong ganoong balita. Pero may iba balita ako na mag-o-oath-taking. Babasahin ko maya-maya.”

During the same briefing, Castro only announced the scheduled oath-taking of Philip Lo as the new Secretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) and Atty. Nesauro Firme as the newest member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

Abalos served as DILG secretary from 2022 until 2024 before leaving the post to pursue a Senate bid in the 2025 midterm elections. His appointment marks his return to the Marcos administration, this time as Cabinet Secretary, a position tasked with coordinating among Cabinet members and facilitating the implementation of the President's priorities.

Malacañang has yet to announce further details regarding Abalos' assumption of office following his oath-taking later Wednesday.