*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD, DM
In politics, expectations often take shape inside the corridors of power long before they are formally announced to the public. I remember hearing conversations shortly after the 2022 presidential elections when Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. secured his decisive victory. Among political observers and insiders alike, there was a prevailing belief about who would occupy one of the most powerful posts in the government. The name that frequently surfaced was Benhur Abalos, the trusted campaign manager who helped orchestrate the electoral machinery that brought Marcos back to Malacañang. In many political traditions, the strategist who successfully steers a presidential campaign is often entrusted with a central role in the administration. Yet as events unfolded, the direction of the appointment took a different path.
Instead of Abalos, the position of Executive Secretary was initially given to the President’s lawyer, Atty. Vic Rodriguez. Reports and political whispers at the time suggested that there were internal movements within the President’s circle that paved the way for Rodriguez to assume the role. One of the early institutional decisions during his tenure was the abolition of the Cabinet Secretary position. Shortly thereafter, one of the first executive actions of the administration involved the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission. These early moves reflected the shifting dynamics within the emerging structure of the new administration.
However, the tenure of Atty. Vic Rodriguez proved to be brief. His stay in office lasted only about three months, roughly within the first hundred days of the Marcos administration. During that short period, various intrigues, controversies, and allegations surrounded his office. While many of these accusations remain unproven to this day, the political tension and administrative instability they created eventually led to his resignation. His departure was not an isolated development. Several figures connected with the early configuration of the administration also left their posts, including officials within the Presidential Management Staff and the Presidential Communications Office. As a result, the first hundred days of the administration experienced a somewhat turbulent, complicated, and uncertain governance launch or beginning.
Following Rodriguez’s resignation, former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin was appointed as Executive Secretary. Bersamin brought with him decades of experience in the judiciary and was widely regarded as a stabilizing presence within the executive branch. From 2022 to 2025, he served as the President’s principal administrative coordinator and legal adviser, helping guide the bureaucratic machinery of government during a period of adjustment.
Yet even the tenure of Bersamin was not entirely free from controversy. As is often the case with high-ranking officials in Philippine governance, the office eventually became entangled in public issues and political scrutiny. One of the controversies that surfaced during this period involved the alleged mention of his nephew, Adrian Bersamin, in connection with what public discourse described as a flood control scam that attracted national attention. Whether proven or not, controversies of such magnitude inevitably cast political shadows over offices associated with them. In the sensitive environment of national governance, even indirect associations can create pressures that affect the stability of leadership.
Amid the growing public attention and political concerns surrounding these issues, Bersamin eventually stepped down from his post. His resignation once again opened a transition within the Office of the Executive Secretary, one of the most critical coordinating institutions within the executive branch.
Following this development, the role of Executive Secretary began to be handled in an acting capacity by Ralph Recto. Recto is widely known for his long career in economic governance, fiscal management, and national budgeting. His experience in public service has consistently revolved around financial policy, taxation, and economic planning. His presence in Malacañang ensured continuity in the administrative coordination of the government during a period of transition.
Yet Recto’s strengths have always been closely associated with economic management and fiscal policy. His expertise in financial governance is widely recognized, and many observers believe that such strengths may be better utilized in the areas of budgeting, economic planning, and fiscal administration—fields that remain crucial as the Philippines navigates economic uncertainties and development challenges.
These developments inevitably revive an old question that had lingered quietly since the early days of the Marcos administration. What if the original expectation had been realized from the beginning?
Benhur Abalos, the man many believed would initially become Executive Secretary, instead served as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. In that role, he demonstrated a pragmatic and energetic leadership style, strengthening coordination with local government units and promoting initiatives aimed at improving governance and public service delivery. His leadership within the DILG highlighted his administrative experience and his ability to translate policy directives into operational programs.
However, his tenure was interrupted when he decided to run in the 2025 elections. That political decision temporarily removed him from the executive branch and left several initiatives within the DILG unfinished. Now that the elections have passed and Abalos is no longer constrained by electoral commitments, the possibility of his return to a key executive role becomes a realistic consideration.
Abalos brings with him a rare combination of experiences in Philippine governance. He has served as Mayor of Mandaluyong, Congressman, Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. These positions collectively represent both local administrative leadership and national government experience. Few public officials possess such a comprehensive perspective of governance from both the grassroots and national levels.
The position of Executive Secretary is often described as that of the “Little President,” the official responsible for ensuring that the vast machinery of government moves in coordination with the directives of the Chief Executive. The role requires not only legal knowledge but also political sensitivity, administrative discipline, and the practical understanding of how government programs are implemented on the ground.
In governance, effectiveness often depends on placing leaders where their strengths can be maximized. A seasoned administrator like Benhur Abalos could focus on coordinating the machinery of government and ensuring that presidential directives are effectively translated into concrete actions. Meanwhile, a technocrat like Ralph Recto could continue contributing his expertise in financial management, economic planning, and fiscal discipline—areas that remain essential as the country navigates economic challenges.
The Philippines today faces a complex set of governance realities that require both strong administrative coordination and sound economic stewardship. Decisions within the Cabinet, particularly in positions as strategic as the Office of the Executive Secretary, can significantly shape the direction and effectiveness of the administration.
History sometimes delays what politics once expected. The appointment that many quietly anticipated in 2022 may yet find its proper place in the unfolding chapters of governance. And if that moment arrives, the Marcos administration may discover that the path once postponed could still lead to a more coordinated, stable, and effective government.
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