FORMER local government secretary Benhur Abalos topped a performance survey among Cabinet officials.

Abalos, who relinquished his post to run for senator in the 2025 elections under the administration's coalition party Alyansa ng Bagong Pilipinas, scored a 95.84 percent job approval rating.

The performance assessment was conducted from Sept. 20 to 30 by the RPMD Foundation Inc. (RPMD).

Following Abalos was the Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian with 93.5, and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco with 92.7 percent.

The other high scorers were Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (89.4 percent), Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla (87.3 percent), and Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra (85.6 percent).

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy rated 83.4, and Finance Secretary Ralph Recto had 82.7 percent to share sixth place. Tied for seventh were Education Secretary Sonny Angara (81.2 percent) and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa (80.5 percent)

In eighth place were Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual (79.7 percent), Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (78.9 percent), and Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jerry Acuzar (78.8 percent).

Sharing ninth place were Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan (77.6 percent) and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (77.3 percent).

Completing the top 10 were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (76.1 percent) and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista (75 percent).

National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan was in 11th place with 75.0 percent, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was 12th with 73.7 percent, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was 13th with 72.5 percent, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma in 14th with 71.3 percent, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in 15th with 70.1 percent, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla in 16th with at 68.4 percent, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in 17th with 66.8 percent, and Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga in 18th with 64.3 percent.

Dr. Paul Martinez, global affairs analyst and executive director of RPMD, congratulated Abalos, Gatchalian, Frasco, Pangandaman, Remulla and Guevarra for their impressive scores and commitment to excellence.

He said that overall, the Cabinet's performance had shown significant improvement, with all officials scoring above the passing threshold of 52 percent and the lowest score reaching 64.3 percent.