President Marcos said he has found the person to take over the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) portfolio once Secretary Benhur Abalos steps down this week to join the 2025 midterm elections.

Marcos said this ahead of the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of aspiring electoral candidates that will start on Oct. 1.

In a media interview in Capas, Tarlac, the President said he has already identified the new DILG secretary but refused to name Abalos' successor just yet.

"It's still premature. Wait, wait. Pabayaan muna natin si Secretary Abalos na magtrabaho muna (Let's allow Secretary Abalos to work for now)," he told reporters on Monday, Sept. 30.

"I don't want him to feel that we're already pushing him out, considering, especially, that he has done such a good job as DILG [secretary]," he added.

The President, however, revealed that there were only two people on his shortlist.

According to Marcos, he will announce Abalos' replacement once the latter files his COC this week.

"When he will file, we will also announce his replacement," he said.

Abalos is a former mayor of Mandaluyong City. Before joining Marcos' Cabinet, he served as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman under the Duterte administration.

Abalos will run for senator in the 2025 polls under President Marcos' "Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas." He is the only incumbent Cabinet Secretary under the current administration to do so. Former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo is also part of the administration's senatorial slate.

Joining the "Alyansa" are Makati City Mayor Abby Binay and House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, who will be trying their luck for a spot in the 24-seat chamber. Both Binay and Villar are related to current senators Nancy Binay and mother-and-son duo Cynthia and Mark Villar.

Also part of the administration's ticket are those hoping to make a Senate comeback after "resting" for one term due to election rules. Former senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao lost in the 2022 presidential race, while former Senate President Tito Sotto ran for vice president in the same year.

The "Alyansa" likewise included reelectionists such as senators Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, and Ramon "Bong" Revilla.

The President's sister, Senator Imee Marcos, was included in the administration's lineup but she decided to run as an independent candidate instead. Despite this, Marcos said the "Alyansa" will still support his sister.