MANILA – Veteran broadcaster Cesar Chavez has officially stepped down as acting secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), citing personal shortcomings.
In a statement on Thursday, Chavez said he is grateful for the opportunity to work with the government but also regretted that he was unable to meet the expectations from the administration.
“To use a broadcast parlance, I will be signing off as Acting Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office on Feb. 28, 2025, or anytime earlier when my replacement is appointed,” Chavez said.
“It is to this fidelity to the truth — the bedrock belief to which I have anchored myself as a former broadcast journalist — that I must tell the unvarnished truth about my resignation,” he added.
“I leave with only one regret: in my estimation, I have fallen short of what was expected of me,” he said. “I would like to thank the President for the opportunity to serve, which has been an honor of a lifetime made possible only by his trust and confidence in me.”
Chavez also stated that former ABS-CBN News reporter Jay Ruiz is set to take over as the new PCO chief.
“I informed him (Ruiz) that I will introduce him to the PCO Mancom on Monday, Feb. 24, so he can begin a week-long transition, so that by March 1, it’s already a plug-and-play for him as the new PCO Secretary,” Chavez said.
“I am also hoping that this kind of transition can be institutionalized in all other agencies,” he added.
Despite stepping down, Chavez said he would continue supporting the Marcos administration, whom he thanked for trusting him with the vital role of heading the administration’s communications arm.
“I will not be signing out as a believer in this administration, whose vision I will continue to support as I pursue endeavors outside of government but still within the realm of public service,” Chavez said.
“Since my first day working in this administration and up to almost two years and seven months, I have always served each day as if it were my last, and thus I strive to give my best,” he added.
“And when the last day comes, I will leave with the same enthusiasm, gratitude, and hope for a better future for the country we love,” he further said.
Chavez is President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s third Communications Secretary after lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who resigned in October 2022 for health reasons, and Cheloy Garafil, who was transferred to the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan./PN
