President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Kim Robert de Leon as the new Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Malacañang announced on Monday.
De Leon, who is currently the youngest member of the Cabinet, is scheduled to take his oath of office on Tuesday, May 19.
During a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro highlighted the incoming Budget Secretary’s stellar track record and readiness for the role.
According to Castro, De Leon is widely recognized for his exemplary work in fiscal management, organizational reform, and digital transformation.
De Leon is uniquely equipped for the position, having previously served as DBM Undersecretary. In that role, he successfully managed the Organization and Systems Improvement Group as well as the Information and Communications Technology Group. His extensive governance portfolio also includes serving as Undersecretary for Administration and Finance under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Secretary De Leon brings a remarkable academic and professional pedigree to the DBM:
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UP-NCPAG Alumnus: Graduated Magna Cum Laude and Valedictorian from the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance.
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Topnotcher: Achieved first place in the 2016 Environmental Planning Licensure Examination.
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Advanced Degrees: Holds Master’s Degrees in Urban and Regional Planning, as well as Public Safety Administration, both completed with Academic Honors.
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International Training: Earned a Certificate in Business Process Management from the Queensland University of Technology (2021) under the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarship Program.
Prior to his high-level roles in the executive branch, De Leon also contributed to shaping future public servants as an Assistant Professor at UP-NCPAG.
As De Leon steps into his new role, outgoing DBM Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo will transition to a new leadership post. Castro announced that Toledo will be appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), ensuring that his extensive experience continues to benefit the state-run social insurance program and its millions of government employees and retirees.
