MANILA – Cesar Chavez, the former Senior Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), confirmed on Thursday that he has officially taken his oath as the new Presidential Communications Secretary.
“I thank the President for this opportunity to serve this country and the government. Maliwanag ho ang aking task dito, to communicate for the Presidency, to communicate for the government, and to communicate for the state,” Chavez said to Malacañang reporters.
He emphasized that the role goes beyond the PCO, stating, “This is not an undertaking of the PCO, this is an undertaking of the entire government bureaucracy, especially the communications team.”
Chavez steps in to replace Atty. Cheloy Garafil, who is expected to be appointed as the head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).
“This is not an abrupt change. It’s part of the government. During the times of Cory, FVR, President Erap, and GMA, changes like this happened,” Chavez explained, adding that these shifts are common in government institutions and are part of ongoing efforts for institutional development.
As the new head of the PCO, Chavez outlined his focus on key national issues, particularly government policies concerning the West Philippine Sea. He also highlighted his intent to work closely with the media in scrutinizing infrastructure projects of the Marcos administration.
“I’ll also focus on bringing you the news. You can also scrutinize the infrastructure projects of this government. Gusto ko rin katulong kayo at ang media para ma-scrutinize the government in particular,” he added.
Chavez, who has spent 40 years working in government and some years in the media, emphasized professionalism as his guiding principle. He also announced plans to appoint a fact-check officer for every state media agency, ensuring that state-run outlets do not spread false information.
“Para kami mismo hindi maging tagapaglako, tagapagtaguyot at hindi rin kami maging instrumento. But at the same time, ‘pag may nakita kami sa tingin namin ay fake na fake, there is a process of checking kung paano makikita kung fake ang balita o hindi,” he explained.
Chavez said he plans to invite experts in national security, social development, and infrastructure to join his team to help President Marcos Jr. explain his policies.
“The spokesperson is the President. We will be helping him. We will invite speakers to meet with you and explain the President’s statements. But the President will remain the spokesperson,” he clarified.
In a separate announcement, Chavez said the government has established a digital hotline to coordinate early decisions regarding work and class suspensions during calamities. The Office of the Executive Secretary, Office of Civil Defense, Presidential Management Staff, PAGASA, PCO, Department of the Interior, and MMDA will collaborate to ensure that announcements are made by 4 a.m.
“The template is, bago mag-gabi kapag alam namin may problema tayo sa weather system at ang tingin natin sa Metro Manila and its environ, gabi pa lang mag-a-announce na ang PCO. Ang i-announce ang PCO, either we limit to local government units to decide or we will decide. So at least dalawa yan,” Chavez said.