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.

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