President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has identified potential successor for Benhur Abalos as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) once he steps down from the position to pursue his senatorial bid.

In an ambush interview in Capas, Tarlac on Monday, Marcos mentioned that he has a candidate in mind for the position being left by Abalos. However, he declined to name the individual since Abalos has not yet filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

“I don’t want him to feel that we’re already pushing him out, since considering, especially, that he has done such a good job as DILG [secretary],” said Marcos.

“So when he will file, we will also announce his replacement,” he added.