Malacañang has moved to quell growing rumors of a major Cabinet reorganization, specifically dismissing reports that former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos are set to join the administration.
The speculation suggested that Trillanes was being positioned to replace current Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Such a move was rumored to be a strategic step to facilitate the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, whose ICC arrest warrant was recently unsealed.
Concurrently, rumors circulated that Abalos might return to the Cabinet to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ), replacing Acting Secretary Fredderick Vida.
However, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that there have been no official updates regarding any agency movements.
“Sa ngayon po ay wala pa rin pong ipinapaabot sa atin na update pero kapag mayroon ibibigay ko po agad sa inyo.”
When pressed on the possibility of Abalos returning to the executive branch, Castro remained cautious but firm on the current status.
“Hindi ko po masasabi sa ngayon.”
Despite the lapse of the one-year appointment ban for losing 2025 election candidates—which fueled the Trillanes rumors—the Palace maintains that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. still holds full trust and confidence in his sitting Cabinet members.
As of press time, neither the camps of Trillanes and Abalos nor the Office of the President have confirmed any impending “rigodon” or reshuffle.