The Palace announced the appointment of a new Budget Secretary and dismissed speculation on alleged removal of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla from the Cabinet.

In a briefing on Monday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro announced the appointment of Kim Robert de Leon as the new budget secretary who is expected to take his oath on Tuesday.

Castro said de Leon will be the "youngest member of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet."

"A career public servant, Secretary de Leon is recognized for his work in fiscal management, organizational reform and digital transformation. He graduated magna cum laude and valedictorian from UP-NCPAG. He also topped the 2016 Environmental Planning Licensure Examination and holds master’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning, and Public Safety Administration with academic honors," she said.

"Secretary de Leon obtained a certificate in Business Process Management from the Queensland University of Technology in 2021 under the Australia Awards scholarship program," she added.

Casatro said Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo will be appointed to the board of trustees representing the leading organizations or associations of government employees, retirees or GSIS.

Meanwhile, Castro refused to comment on alleged "growing calls" to replace Remulla, noting that the matter "is not being discussed for now".

"Personally, I have not seen any indication that the President has lost trust in Secretary Jonvic Remulla at this time," she said.

When asked about the speculations that Remulla will allegedly be replaced by former Senator Antonio Trillanes or former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Castro said that they "have not received information on such". Robina Asido/PHS