By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has exercised his “plenary power” to appoint Cabinet Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., whose redefined role will focus on bringing government services closer to the people, Malacañang said Thursday.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said there is no need for the President to issue an executive order (EO) to reconstitute the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, as Abalos’ mandate is different from that of the defunct office.
“CabSec Benhur’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,” Castro said.
“The President has the plenary power to appoint. And instead of a CABSEC focus on managing the President’s Cabinet meetings, ang utos ng Presidente kay CABSEC Benhur ay siguruduhin nararamdaman at napapakinabangan ng bawat Pilipino ang mga serbisyo ng gobyerno (the President’s directive to Cabinet Secretary Benhur is to ensure that every Filipino feels and benefits from government services).”
Under Executive Order 1, which Marcos issued in June 2022, the Office of the Cabinet Secretary was abolished and the Cabinet Secretariat was placed under the supervision of the Presidential Management Staff.
Castro said Abalos’ primary role is to assist the President by “providing overall leadership and direction in the development, coordination, and implementation of political and constituency engagement initiatives.”
She said Abalos was directed to travel across the country to represent the President and work with Cabinet members in addressing public concerns.
Castro emphasized that the President has full confidence in Abalos’ ability to carry out his duties.
“Kaya itong function na ito ang ibinigay sa kanya para mas mapalawak pa ng Pangulo pagsisilbi at makaikot si CabSec Benhur Abalos sa bawat rehiyon, para mas maramdaman nga ng bawat kababayan natin ang tulong ng gobyerno (That is why he was given this function, to further expand the administration’s public service efforts by enabling him to visit every region so that more Filipinos can directly experience the government’s assistance),” she said.
Abalos took oath as Cabinet Secretary on Wednesday in a ceremony presided over by Marcos at Malacañan Palace in Manila. (PNA)
