Whereas Clauses. WHEREAS, the Cabinet is the primary advisory body of the President;

WHEREAS, the Cabinet, in support of the Presidency, serves as a forum for information exchange and feedback, issue discussion and resolution, as well as a coordination and integration mechanism;

WHEREAS, the post of Cabinet Secretary with rank and emolument of a Member of the Cabinet, was created last December 22, 1986, to assist in maximizing the services of the Cabinet to the President;

WHEREAS, the Cabinet Secretariat was authorized to provide the technical and administrative support to the Presidential Committee on Public Ethics and Accountability, created under ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 25, dated May 15, 1987;

WHEREAS, the Cabinet Secretary was mandated to preside over the meetings of the Cabinet Assistance System, as reconstituted, under Memorandum Order No. 96, dated June 2, 1987;

WHEREAS, there is a need to define the powers, functions and structure of and to provide for the reorganization of the existing Cabinet Secretariat;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the sovereign will of the Filipino people and the Constitution, do hereby order: