Cesar Chavez is new PCO chief as Garafil heads to MECO

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Presidential Assistant on Strategic Communications Undersecretary Cesar Chavez, in a media interview, confirms he has taken his oath as the new Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office on Thursday (Sept. 5, 2024) afternoon. (PNA photo by Darryl John Esguerra)

MANILA – Presidential Assistant on Strategic Communications Undersecretary Cesar Chavez is now the new Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Chavez said he took his oath before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, outgoing PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil will be appointed to the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), according to Chavez.

Chavez thanked the President for his appointment and vowed to effectively communicate government policies to the public.

“I thank the President for another opportunity to serve the country, this government.

Maliwanag po ang aking task dito (My task here is clear) — to communicate for the presidency, to communicate for the President, to communicate for the State. This is not an undertaking of the PCO, this is an undertaking of the entire government, especially the communications team,” Chavez told Palace reporters.

Chavez worked as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) undersecretary for railways and deputy administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Chavez spent his time as a broadcast journalist at radio station DZRH where he served as an anchor and later as station manager. He also served as vice president of the Manila Broadcasting Company, DZRH’s parent company.

According to Chavez, he will take an active role in communicating government policies on the West Philippine Sea issue, as well as the administration’s Build Better More Infrastructure Program.

In the fight against fake news, the new PCO chief said he would ask state media to designate their respective fact-check officers.

“Timely, accurate, and validated information is what we need dito sa loob ng PCO (within the PCO),” he said.