Manila, July 8 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Interior secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. as Cabinet secretary, Malacanang announced Wednesday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a press briefing, said Abalos would take his oath of office on Wednesday afternoon.

As Cabinet secretary, Abalos would assist the President by providing "timely, relevant, and strategic advice on emerging national, local, and international issues affecting the political landscape," Castro said.

Castro added that Abalos would also "serve as a conduit of the President to national government agencies, local government units, political organizations, groups or parties, civil society organizations, and sectoral groups on matters ...