La Union Representative and Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega believes that the appointment of Professor Kim Robert de Leon as the new Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is a great opportunity to further promote transparency, modernize systems, and push progressive reforms in the national fund. De Leon is a public finance expert, a professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, and previously served as undersecretary of the DBM (2021-2022) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), in addition to his experience in the Office of the President.
Ortega emphasized the importance of the DBM's role in maintaining public trust in the government. He noted that this appointment comes at a time when the public is demanding stricter vigilance against questionable budget insertions. The lawmaker also assured that the House of Representatives is ready to cooperate with the new DBM leadership for reforms.
Ortega expects that De Leon's youth and modern leadership will bring speed, innovation, and courage to fix old systems in the country's financial management.
Youngest Cabinet Member
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun of Zambales welcomed President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' R. Marcos Jr.'s appointment of Kim Robert de Leon, 32, as the new DBM secretary. According to Khonghun, the President injected 'young blood' or fresh energy and perspective into his Cabinet by choosing De Leon, who was confirmed by Malacañang as the youngest Cabinet member today and the youngest budget secretary in history.
Khonghun also praised the new secretary's impressive track record. The executive branch is currently preparing the proposed national budget for 2027, which will be submitted to Congress after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July. The House expects De Leon to use his expertise to formulate a spending program that addresses the oil crisis and the country's economic slowdown.
