President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has appointed Benhur Abalos, his former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief, as his first Cabinet secretary.

The appointment was announced by Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, who highlighted Abalos' role in providing strategic advice on national, local, and international issues affecting the political landscape.

Abalos, a trusted figure in the administration, will oversee engagements with government agencies, local units, and political organizations, while also linking the president to civil society groups.His portfolio includes leading the Strategic Action and Response Office, which manages Malacañang's complaints centers.

Abalos, who previously served as Duterte's Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair and Marcos' campaign manager, resigned from DILG in 2024 to run for Senate.Despite losing his senatorial bid, his appointment underscores his significance in the Marcos administration.

The move follows the lapse of a one-year ban on appointing defeated 2025 candidates, with Marcos emphasizing his desire to retain Abalos in an official capacity without altering the Cabinet structure.