Chavez, Remulla, Toledo in shortlist as possible press secretary

FILE: Facade of the Malacañang Palace as seen from Pasig River. (Photo by Architect Jorge Ramos (d. 2015) for the underlying copyrighted work (Malacañang Palace). Image is by Official Gazette of the Philippines, originally uploaded on Commons by User:P-JR – Commons:File:Malacañang Palace (Cropped).jpg, Public Domain)

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has yet to choose the next press secretary following the resignation of lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara earlier expressed hope that a new Press Secretary would be named “in the near future.”

To date, at least three names have cropped up as the possible second Press Secretary under the Marcos administration namely Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez, Philippines Games and Amusement Corporation (PAGCOR) board director Gilbert Remulla and lawyer Michael “Mike” Toledo.

Chavez, in a phone interview with reporters on Wednesday, admitted that he was “being considered” as Press Secretary but refused to give further details.

He said he is “not interested” to take on the job since his field on specialty is in the rail sector.

Chavez said he needed more time to think about the offer, adding that he will discuss the matter with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

Chavez, the former chief of staff of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, also acknowledged that there are many “competent” candidates for Press Secretary.

“Honestly, ang tingin ko mas maraming competent, mas kayang-kaya nila ang trabaho nila (I think there are many competent candidates who can do the job better). Mentally, physically and emotionally and professionally, they’re more qualified kaysa sa akin (than me),” he said.

He named Remulla and Toledo as other names being considered for the post.

Remulla, former Cavite representative and broadcast journalist, told reporters he is currently enjoying his role as PAGCOR director.

PAGCOR announced that Remulla was named one of the members of the PAGCOR board of directors in August.

Toledo, former Press Secretary and current Government and Public Affairs head of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp., neither denied or confirmed that he was offered the post.

“I am not aware of any shortlist, but if I am indeed in the shortlist, then I consider it to be an honor in itself,” he said.

He said he is “not in a position” to dwell about the offer, but noted that he would not reject the opportunity to serve.

“Sino ho ba naman tayo para tumanggi (Who am I to reject the offer)? I will be humbled, it will be an honor and privilege to serve under the Marcos administration,” he added.

Toledo was seen present during the 2022 multi-stakeholder forum organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on Wednesday. Marcos attended the event as guest of honor.

Film director Paul Soriano earlier confirmed that he was also considered as press secretary, but admitted that he prefers working behind the scenes.

Soriano directed the President’s first State of the Nation Address. He is also the nephew of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos through her first cousin, director Gines Soriano.