Garafil replaces Bello at MECO; broadcaster takes over PCO

MANILA, Philippines —  Former broadcaster Cesar Chavez is the new secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, with former PCO secretary Cheloy Garafil appointed by President Marcos as the new chief of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).

In an interview with reporters yesterday, Chavez confirmed that Garafil would be appointed as chief of MECO, the duly designated instrumentality to promote and protect the Philippines’ interests in Taiwan.

Chavez said he took his oath as PCO secretary before Marcos yesterday, but Garafil has yet to do the same because MECO has a board that elects its officials.

In a text message to The STAR, former labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III confirmed that he was “replaced” as MECO chief.

In its website, MECO said its mandate is to serve as a link between the people of the Philippines and Taiwan. It has been authorized to perform functions usually carried out by Philippine foreign missions but of a non-political, non-security nature and performs consular functions.

Before being named MECO chair and PCO secretary, Garafil was the chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. She worked as a journalist, justice department prosecutor and a state solicitor of the Office of the Solicitor General. The former PCO chief was also director of the House rules committee and public relations officer of former president and House speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Chavez is the third communications secretary under Marcos after Garafil and lawyer Trixie Angeles.

Digital hotline

Chavez’s priorities as PCO chief include setting up a multiagency digital hotline to ensure that announcements on work and class suspensions would be made before 4 a.m.

The hotline will involve the PCO, Office of the Executive Secretary, Office of Civil Defense, Presidential Management Staff, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the appointments secretary, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“We will take the risk if we suspend classes before 4 o’clock. We will take the risk if it becomes sunny at 9 or 11 in the morning,” he added.

Chavez said the template would be for PCO to make an announcement the night before if there is a weather condition that affects Metro Manila and its surrounding areas.

Chavez also vowed to address fake news by appointing “fact-check officers” in state-run media entities.

“It is the responsibility of people from the government to avoid being peddlers of fake news. At the same time, it is not just the obligation of people from the government but also those from the other side,” the PCO secretary said.

Asked if he would speak for the President, Chavez replied: “The best salesperson of this government, of this country is still the President, but I’ll be helping the President and our team to explain the interconnectedness of policies, especially those policies that will require more information campaign, more discussions.”

“I’ll be helping the President explain his policies, some Cabinet decisions, executive decisions in particular, his legislative agenda, foreign policy, it’s under the domain of the Department of Foreign Affairs, but sometimes, a statement from the President may be necessary,” he added.

Saying he prefers to be a “backroom manager,” Chavez said he would ask experts in various fields to join his team and to explain Marcos’ statements. He added that he would take an “active role” in the messaging and communicating of policies related to the West Philippine Sea and government infrastructure projects.

Chavez revealed that he was approached as early as August 2022 to lead the PCO but he politely declined because he was just starting as transportation undersecretary for railways.

Before becoming PCO chief, Chavez was the presidential assistant for strategic communications under the Office of the President.