MANILA — Cesar Chavez, Presidential Assistant for Strategic Communications, is set to replace Cheloy Garafil as Communications Secretary, marking the third person to hold the position under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Chavez is expected to be sworn in on September 5, according to sources. Garafil, who succeeded Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles in 2022, will reportedly take over as head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), which manages relations with Taiwan.
Chavez has an extensive background in government and media, having served as Undersecretary for Railways and Deputy Administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). He also held the position of Chief of Staff for former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno but resigned in 2021 due to internal disagreements. Prior to his government service, Chavez was a veteran broadcaster and station manager at DZRH.
With this appointment, Chavez becomes the third Communications Secretary in two years, signaling ongoing changes within the Presidential Communications Office.
ia/mnm
