President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed vlogger and columnist Rey Joseph “RJ” Nieto, popularly known as Thinking Pinoy, as assistant secretary of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, according to an appointment paper dated September 1, 2026.
The Office of the Cabinet Secretary is headed by Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos.
Nieto rose to prominence in 2015 after establishing Thinking Pinoy, initially as a personal blog that later developed into a sizable social media platform focused on Philippine politics, public officials, government affairs and national issues.
During the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Nieto became known for his strong support of the then-president and his policies.
His online posts frequently defended the Duterte administration, including its anti-illegal drugs campaign, while also criticizing opposition personalities and media reports critical of the government.
His online activities also became the subject of legal controversy. In 2017, a post by Nieto that suggested then-Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was involved in the illegal drug trade prompted Trillanes to pursue a libel case against him.
Nieto, however, did not limit his criticism to Duterte’s opponents. He also questioned the actions of some administration officials, including former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, whose appointment he publicly criticized in a 2017 post.
His political position later included support for the Marcos-Duterte tandem. During the 2022 presidential campaign, Nieto expressed openness to backing Marcos if then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte did not seek the presidency. Among the reasons he cited was his view that a Marcos administration could shield former President Duterte from possible proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Nieto subsequently appeared with Marcos at several public events. During the President’s 2022 trip to New York, for instance, Nieto posted a photograph with Marcos at an Eric Clapton concert, as well as another photo with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
He also had a professional legal connection with the Marcos family. In 2024, Araneta-Marcos said she had represented Nieto and fellow Duterte supporter Sass Rogando Sasot on a pro bono basis for three years in connection with cyberlibel cases. Sasot later disputed parts of Araneta-Marcos’ account.
Nieto eventually became part of the broader group of social media personalities associated with the pro-Marcos camp. His relationships with some former allies from the Duterte-supporting community later became strained as political divisions emerged between supporters of Marcos and the Duterte family.
His appointment to the Office of the Cabinet Secretary now places the longtime political commentator in a government position under the Marcos administration.