President Marcos has appointed Cavite Governor Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla Jr. as the new secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Malacañang made the announcement on Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, a few hours before Remulla is scheduled to take his oath before the President.

"Remulla is scheduled to take his oath before President Marcos at 9:45 a.m. today," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) disclosed.

In a statement, Marcos said Remulla "fits the bill of  a DILG  leader the  nation needs today."

"His extensive and excellent  work in local government administration has been met with acclaim,  in the press,  and by the people who have voted him nine times to office," Marcos said.

"But the  best proof of his  performance is not found in the  glowing reports and great scorecards.   It is visible on  how he has made his beloved Cavite progressive,  an economic  powerhouse, to cite just one achievement," he added.

The President further said that Remulla is "is more than qualified to handle the challenges of one of the government’s most important jobs."

He highlighted the new DILG chief's experience in local governance where he held positions from being a board member to vice governor and governor.

Marcos did not specify his marching order to the new DILG head as "he knows what  to do and how best to do it."

"I do not have to spell out my marching orders to him because as a boot on the ground he knows what  to do and how best to do it, the most important of which are   keeping  our people safe in their homes and  making  our local governments dynamic frontliners of service," the President said.

Remulla will be replacing outgoing DILG secretary Benhur Abalos, who will be vying for a senatorial seat in the upcoming midterm elections. He was announced as among the senatorial aspirants under the administration's slate.