The latest popularity poll results left Dept. of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman expressed gratitude to the public after she landed as the fourth most trusted Cabinet member under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
On March 23, RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. released its national “Boses ng Bayan” survey in which Pangandaman earned a trust rating of 70%.
This figure is a 3% increase from the previous 67% trust rating she got in December 2022.
Pangandaman’s job performance rating remains unchanged at 73%.
In a press release, Pangandaman said her “heart is full” by the trust and confidence given to her by Filipinos.
Pangandaman said
“Thank you very much. We have no other goal but to serve and improve the lives of Filipinos.”
“This shall inspire me to work twice as hard to ensure that we are on track with our Agenda for Prosperity so that no Filipinos would be left behind in our economic transformation.”
Pangandaman is the second woman to head the DBM and the only Muslim in the Marcos Cabinet.
Prior to her appointment to the DBM, she served as Assistant Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. She was also Budget Undersecretary during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. topped the list of Cabinet officials with an 85-percent performance rating and 90-percent trust rating.
Abalos’ ratings rose by 7% from his December 2022 ratings.
Abalos said in a statement on Saturday,
“I am very humbled by this approval rating. Rest assured that I will remain committed in doubling our efforts to reduce criminalities, initiating reforms and formulating policies in support of our local government units to give our kababayans a progressive, resilient, and effective community they can rely on.”
About the Secretary of the Philippines Department of the Interior and Local Government
Benhur Abalos Jr. is the current Secretary of the Philippines Department of the Interior and Local Government. He was appointed to this position in November 2020, after serving as a commissioner of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for five years.
Prior to his appointment, he also served as mayor of Mandaluyong City for nine years.
As Secretary of DILG, Abalos is responsible for overseeing various government agencies that focus on public safety and local governance. This includes law enforcement organizations such as the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as local government units throughout the country.
His leadership has been instrumental in implementing programs that aim to enhance disaster preparedness and response, improve peace and order, and promote transparency in governance.
He was followed by:
- Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco (77% approval rating, 75% trust rating)
- Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (75% approval, 70% trust rating)
- Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy (75% approval, 88% trust rating)
- Pangandaman (73% approval, 70% trust rating)
- Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (71% approval, 67% trust ratings).
About the Tourism Secretary
Christina Garcia-Frasco is a well-known figure in the Philippines tourism industry. She was appointed as the Secretary of Tourism by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2021, succeeding Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. Prior to her appointment, she served as a member of the Cebu Provincial Board and was later elected as a congresswoman for Cebu’s first district.
As an advocate for sustainable tourism, Garcia-Frasco has been instrumental in promoting local travel within the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her efforts have helped revive domestic tourism and support small businesses that rely on tourism-related activities. In addition, her commitment to preserving cultural heritage sites has led to the restoration and conservation of several historical landmarks throughout the country.
Garcia-Frasco’s leadership has also been recognized internationally.
Sources: THX News & Philippine News Agency.
