ONE OF the most misunderstood topics in Philippine governance is the role of the Executive Secretary (ES).
Many Filipinos assume that the Malacañang ES is the Philippine equivalent of the White House Chief of Staff. On the surface, the comparison feels intuitive. After all, both stand close to the President, control access, and coordinate policy.
But structurally and politically, these two roles are very different—and the differences matter.
How the White House Chief of Staff Works
To begin with, the White House Chief of Staff (WHCoS) is not a member of the US Cabinet.
He does not head a department, and he is not Senate-confirmed. His legitimacy comes purely from presidential trust and political skill.
His functions are largely gatekeeping and coordination:
* He controls access to the President
* Manages the White House staff
* Shapes internal priorities
* Supports the President in dealing directly with Cabinet secretaries
Influential? Very. The most powerful unelected official in Washington, some say. But never a Cabinet member, and never part of the constitutional line of succession.
Interestingly, while the Chief of Staff is the President’s closest adviser, it is the Secretary of State who is traditionally regarded as the “primus inter pares” among Cabinet members—prestige rooted in history, foreign policy centrality, and the fact that the Secretary of State is fourth in line to the US presidency.
The Executive Secretary: A Very Different Role
The Philippine Executive Secretary (ES) is formally a member of the Cabinet even if he does not head a department.
By tradition—and now by political culture—the ES is considered the “primus inter pares” among Cabinet members.
Why?
Because he is closest to the President.
Because he signs “By Authority of the President.”
Because his office sits at the intersection of power, bureaucracy, and access.
But this creates complications.
The ES is supposed to be administrative and coordinative. He is not an executive superior to Cabinet members. He is not in the line of presidential succession. And he does not lead a department with its own statutory mandate.
Yet in practice, over several administrations, the ES has often exercised far-reaching authority beyond mere administration—sometimes overshadowing actual department heads. (To be continued)/PN
