Executive Secretary

The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Philippines (formerly the Executive Office) is the head and highest-ranking official of the Office of the President of the Philippines and a member of the Cabinet of the Philippines. 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. The position of executive secretary is currently held by former Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.