President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recalibrated his administration’s peace and security leadership, appointing two veterans from the Aquino administration to key Cabinet positions.
Former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento has been named the new Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), succeeding retired general Carlito Galvez Jr.
Meanwhile, former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban Jr. was sworn in as the new National Security Adviser (NSA) on April 20, 2026, replacing Eduardo Año, who retired due to health reasons.
Governance and Continuity
The appointments mark a shift in recruitment strategy, drawing from officials who served under the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
- Mel Senen Sarmiento: Former DILG chief (2015–2016) and Samar representative, instrumental in the legislative framework of the Bangsamoro peace process.
- Eduardo Oban Jr.: A Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979 graduate, Oban led the AFP in 2011. His appointment is seen as reinforcing “national security, defense planning, and inter-agency coordination,” according to the Presidential Communications Office.
Transition from Duterte-Era Officials
Outgoing officials Galvez and Año were prominent figures under former President Rodrigo Duterte before joining the Marcos Cabinet.
Galvez played a central role in pandemic response and peace talks, while Año served as DILG chief before becoming NSA.
Malacañang said the new appointments aim to ensure a “free, peaceful, and resilient Philippines” as the administration enters the second half of its term.