President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Kim Robert De Leon as the new Budget Secretary and the youngest Cabinet member, Malacañang announced on Monday.
Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the appointment in a briefing, saying De Leon is set to take his oath on Tuesday, May 19.
De Leon, described by Malacañang as an expert on “fiscal management, organizational reform, and digital transformation,” previously served as DBM Undersecretary for Organization and Systems Improvement and Information and Communications Technology Groups.
He also worked in the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as Undersecretary for Administration and Finance.
Before entering senior government roles, he also served as an assistant professor at the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) of the University of the Philippines Diliman.
He graduated magna cum laude in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and later earned a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from the same university.
He also holds a Master of Public Safety Administration from the Philippine Public Safety College.
De Leon is expected to succeed acting Secretary Rolando Toledo, who has been leading the department since November 2025 after the departure of former Budget chief Amenah Pangandaman.
Pangandaman left the DBM amid allegations linked to a flood control corruption controversy, though she denied involvement in the alleged misuse of public funds tied to non-existent or substandard infrastructure projects.
Toledo, who previously served as interim head, expressed support for his successor and reaffirmed his commitment to public service.
“I… remain confident in the Department’s continued pursuit of sound, transparent, and people-centered governance,” Toledo said.
“Rest assured that my commitment to serve our country and the Filipino people, which I have upheld for more than 38 years in public service, remains unchanged. That commitment will continue wherever I may be called to serve,” he said.
“I remain deeply grateful to God for granting me the opportunity and privilege to serve the DBM as its Secretary. I firmly believe that everything happens according to His greater purpose and perfect timing,” he said.
“As I transition from this role, I extend my wholehearted support to the new DBM Secretary and remain confident in the Department’s continued pursuit of sound, transparent, and people-centered governance,” he said.
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