President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed former Undersecretary Kim Robert de Leon as the new Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, charging the policy veteran with accelerating state spending to counter the slowing economy and an ongoing energy crisis.

De Leon, who becomes the youngest member of the Cabinet, succeeds Rolando U. Toledo, who held the post for six months.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro announced the transition during a Malacañang briefing on Monday, May 18, adding that De Leon is scheduled to take his oath of office on Tuesday, May 19.

De Leon’s appointment comes at a time of economic pressure, with the call for rapid fiscal intervention intensifying. Economic growth is bumping against headwinds from elevated fuel prices and supply chain bottlenecks, leaving the state budget as the primary lever to sustain momentum.

Joey Sarte Salceda, chair of the Institute for Risk and Strategic Studies, said in a May 18 commentary that the incoming budget chief faces an immense task to keep the economic expansion on track.

The government must disburse funds quickly on high-return projects to extract every extra basis point of gross domestic product growth possible during the fuel crisis, Salceda said, adding that the budget department must prioritize releases for projects that resolve supply chain constraints and lower the costs of basic goods to protect Filipino consumers.

The Philippines has been grappling with volatile global oil prices that threaten to spill over into domestic inflation, risking a pullback in consumer spending, which drives about three-quarters of the nation's economic output.

Efficient execution of the national budget, which stands at trillions of pesos, is seen by analysts as vital to funding infrastructure projects that can insulate the economy from external shocks.

Salceda vouched for De Leon’s technical proficiency, noting that the new secretary previously supported plenary defenses of the Budget Reform Act as well as the general principles of the 2020, 2021, and 2022 national budgets.

De Leon possesses the specific policy handle required for the position given his extensive background in fiscal policymaking, Salceda said.

Toledo, the outgoing secretary, said in a May 18 statement that he respects the president's decision and will cooperate fully to ensure a smooth transition. Reflecting on his six-month tenure, Toledo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged his full support for his successor.