President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Kim Robert de Leon as the new secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Palace announced on May 18, 2026.
Appointment Announced
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the appointment of De Leon, who previously served in key government positions. He was a DBM undersecretary overseeing the Organization and Systems Improvement and Information and Communications Technology Groups, and also held the role of undersecretary for Administration and Finance at the Department of Transportation.
Recognition of Expertise
Castro stated that Marcos recognized De Leon's contributions to fiscal management, organizational reform, and digital transformation. De Leon, currently the youngest member of the Cabinet, graduated magna cum laude and valedictorian from the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).
In addition, De Leon topped the 2016 Environmental Planning Licensure Examination. He holds master's degrees in Urban and Regional Planning and Public Safety Administration, both with academic honors. He also earned a Certificate in Business Process Management from the Queensland University of Technology in 2021 under the Australia Awards Scholarship Program.
