Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday administered the oath of office to newly appointed Department of Budget and Management (DBM) acting Secretary Kim Robert De Leon at Malaca±an Palace in Manila. The oath-taking ceremony was held a day after the appointment of De Leon was announced.

According to Philippines News Agency, De Leon succeeded former DBM acting Secretary Rolando Toledo, who is set to join the Board of Trustees of the Government Service Insurance System, a state-run social insurance institution for government employees and retirees. At present, the 32-year-old De Leon is the youngest member of the Cabinet.

Before his appointment, De Leon served as DBM undersecretary, overseeing the Organization and Systems Improvement and Information and Communications Technology Groups. He also previously held the post of undersecretary for administration and finance at the Department of Transportation.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), De Leon finished magna cum laude and valedictorian and later became an assistant professor at the institution. He also topped the 2016 Environmental Planning Licensure Examination.

De Leon earned master's degrees in Urban and Regional Planning and Public Safety Administration, both with academic honors. In 2021, he completed a Certificate in Business Process Management at the Queensland University of Technology through the Australia Awards Scholarship Program.