PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Senior Undersecretary for Strategic Communications Cesar Chavez as the new Press Secretary following the resignation of lawyer Cheloy Garafil.
However, Palace insiders claimed that Garafil was asked to resign to give way to Chavez who had the backing of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’ close friend and concurrent Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Mel Robles.
With his appointment, Chavez became Marcos’ third press secretary. Prior to Garafil’s appointment, lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles served as press secretary from June 30, 2022, until October 4, 2022.
Interestingly, Garafil will take over the Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan, replacing Silvestre Bello III.
Chavez, who was a radio broadcaster before joining the government, also served as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) undersecretary for railways and deputy administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) under the previous administration.
Chavez was also the chief of staff of former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. He however resigned in October 2021 following a rift with Moreno’s campaign manager Lito Banayo. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
