Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Daniza Fernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Newly-appointed Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos said he will be a “conduit” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.Abalos’ appointment came after his one-year appointment ban lapsed following his failed senatorial bid last year.During the “Mula sa Puso, Para sa Pamilya” rice distribution drive in Mandaluyong on Friday, Abalos also told the media that his job is to be the government’s “troubleshooter.”“Ako ‘yung conduit ng Pangulo sa lahat ng local government unit, sa lahat ng NGA (national government agencies), political organizations; stakeholders in short,” he said. “Hindi lamang ‘yun, [but also] to make sure that the programs na ginagawa ay talagang tama at nararamdaman sa baba.”The Cabinet Secretary said he will head the Strategic Action and Response Center. Under it are the Presidential Help Desk and the Presidential Action Center.“Ito ‘yung mga reklamo… ‘Yung mga humihingi ng tulong, ‘yung sa letters of guarantee, ‘yung mga nagpapa-ospital, sa atin ‘yan,” the former interior chief said.“‘Yun ang gustong mangyari ng pangulo, magkaroon ng isang tao [na] titingin kung talagang ‘yung ginagawa ng lahat ng mga different secretaries of the Cabinet ay talagang angkop at ramdam sa baba. In short, we have a president that listens na nakikinig at gusto niya na may aksyon on the ground,” he said.<div> </div><div>RICE SUBSIDY DRIVE</div>First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos meanwhile led the distribution of rice subsidies in the city.“Alam ko mahirap ang panahon ngayon. We cannot eradicate poverty 100% but sana at least itong rice, given four times from my husband, is sana hopefully it would make things less difficult in the next couple of days,” she said.Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos – wife of the new Cabinet Secretary – said the rice aid is already the second of four tranches.The fund for the rice subsidy, Abalos noted, is 50% of the Local Government Support Fund.“‘Yung [other] 50% ‘yung gagamitin namin para sa infra na aming sinubmit din po para sa mga project, na proyekto na makakatulong din sa ating mga kababayan,” the local chief executive said.The First Lady has been visiting and distributing kilos of rice to vulnerable families across the country.

Newly-appointed Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos said he will be a “conduit” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Newly-appointed Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos said he will be a “conduit” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

‘Troubleshooter’ Abalos to be Marcos’ ‘conduit’

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‘Troubleshooter’ Abalos to be Marcos’ ‘conduit’

Daniza Fernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 10, 2026 02:50 PM PHT

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Benhur Abalos

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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