CESAR Chavez, Acting Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), announced his irrevocable resignation on Thursday, effective February 28, 2025, or earlier upon the appointment of his successor.
In a statement, Chavez revealed that he submitted his resignation to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on February 5th. While stepping down from his PCO role, he affirmed his continued support for the administration and his commitment to public service through future endeavors.
He expressed gratitude to President Marcos for the opportunity to serve, acknowledging that he felt he had not fully met expectations. Chavez, a former broadcast journalist, emphasized his commitment to honesty and transparency in explaining his departure. While not explicitly stating his reasons for resigning, he highlighted his dedication to his work and his consistent effort to perform at his best.
Malacañang has yet to announce Chavez’s replacement. However, Chavez himself revealed that former journalist Jay Ruiz is expected to assume the position. He stated that he will introduce Ruiz to the PCO management committee on February 24th to begin a week-long transition process, aiming for a seamless handover by March 1st.
Chavez was appointed Acting Secretary in September 2024, succeeding Cheloy Garafil, who now heads the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan. Prior to his PCO role, Chavez served as Undersecretary for Railways at the Department of Transportation.
