The office-holder has been nicknamed as the "Little President" due to the nature and mandate of the position "to directly assist the President in the management of affairs of the government as well as to direct the operations of the Executive Office." It is headed by the executive secretary in which appointed by the president upon confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
The office was established on October 12, 1936, with Jorge B. Vargas as the inaugural holder.[1]
The position of executive secretary is currently held by former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, who retained his position after President Bongbong Marcos declined his courtesy resignation following a cabinet reshuffle in the aftermath of the 2025 Philippine general election.[2]
Powers and duties
In Book III, Chapter 9, Section 27 of Executive Order No. 292, the Administrative Code of the Philippines,[3] the role of the Executive Secretary was defined as:
Sec. 27. Functions of the Executive Secretary. - The Executive Secretary shall, subject to the control and supervision of the President, carry out the functions assigned by law to the Executive Office and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him. He shall:
Directly assist the President in the management of the affairs pertaining to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines;
Implement presidential directives, orders and decisions;
Decide, for and in behalf of the President, matters not requiring personal presidential attention;
Exercise supervision and control over the various units in the Office of the President Proper including their internal administrative requirements;
Exercise supervision, in behalf of the President, over the various agencies under the Office of the President;
Appoint officials and employees of the Office of the President whose appointments are not vested in the President;
Provide overall coordination in the operation of the Executive Office;
Determine and assign matters to the appropriate units in the Office of the President;
Have administrative responsibility for matters in the Office of the President coming from the various departments and agencies of government;
Exercise primary authority to sign papers "By authority of the President", attest executive orders and other presidential issuances unless attestation is specifically delegated to other officials by him or by the President;
Determine, with the President's approval, the appropriate assignment of offices and agencies not placed by law under any specific executive department;
Provide consultative, research, fact-finding and advisory service to the President;
Assist the President in the performance of functions pertaining to legislation;
Assist the President in the administration of special projects;
Take charge of matters pertaining to protocol in State and ceremonial functions;
Provide secretarial and clerical services for the President, the Cabinet, the Council of State, and other advisory bodies to the President
Promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the objectives, policies and functions of the Office of the President Proper;
Perform such other functions as the President may direct.
The executive secretary possesses so much power since the holder of the office is the chief alter-ego of the president of the Philippines, the chief executive. The executive secretary can issue orders in the name of the president, can review and modify decisions of other cabinet secretaries on appeal and can perform numerous other functions as allowed or delegated by the chief executive. The executive secretary, can also be the top coordinator of the activities of the executive branch of the government, if necessary.
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