Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil is a Filipino lawyer and former journalist who serves as the Chairman and Resident Representative of Manila Economic and Cultural Office. She previously served as the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office until replaced by Cesar Chavez.[1]
Cheloy Garafil | |
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![]() Garafil in 2022 | |
Representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office | |
Assumed office September 5, 2024 | |
President | Ferdinand Marcos Jr. |
Preceded by | Silvestre Bello III |
Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office | |
In office October 7, 2022 OIC until January 10, 2023; Position was known as the Press Secretary until December 29, 2022 – September 5, 2024 | |
President | Bongbong Marcos |
Preceded by | Trixie Cruz-Angeles |
Succeeded by | Cesar Chavez |
Chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board | |
In office June 30, 2022 – October 7, 2022 | |
President | Bongbong Marcos |
Preceded by | Martin B. Delgra III |
Succeeded by | Teofilo E. Guadiz III |
Personal details | |
Born | Pura, Tarlac, Philippines |
Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas (BA, LL.B) National Defense College of the Philippines (MNSA) |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Education
editGarafil attended the University of Santo Tomas (UST) where she graduated with a communication arts degree. She later pursued law studies in the same university, then passed the bar examination in 2003.[2]
Career
editJournalism
editPrior to working in the government, Garafil served as a reporter for the newspaper Malaya. She also worked for the Philippine Daily Globe and the Central News Agency of Taiwan.[2]
Government
editGarafil worked as a prosecutor for the Department of Justice during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[2]
On October 7, 2022, Garafil resigned as chair of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to assume the position of Officer in Charge of the Office of the Press Secretary.[3] The office would later be reorganized as the Presidential Communications Office on December 29, 2022.[4][5] She would lead the office under a regular capacity when she took oath as Press Secretary on January 10, 2023.[6] Cesar Chavez succeeded her on September 5, 2024.[7] Garafil is now the Chairman and Resident Representative of Manila Economic and Cultural Office.[8]
Personal life
editShe is married to Eric Garafil, a former reporter from The Manila Times and The Manila Chronicle. They have two sons and a daughter.
Garafil's house at Gabriela Silang Street, New Capitol Estates 1, Batasan Hills was totally destroyed by a 2-hour fire at 8:30 p.m., February 15, 2024. Garafil’s house was one of the four houses involved in the fire incident.[9][10]
References
edit- ^ Sarao, Zacarian (September 5, 2024). "Cesar Chavez takes oath as press secretary". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c Reyes, Dempsey; Corrales, Nestor (October 8, 2022). "LTFRB's Garafil tapped as Palace media OIC". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- ^ Cordero, Ted (October 7, 2022). "LTFRB chair Garafil steps down, accepts OIC post in Office of Press Secretary". GMA News. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- ^ "Executive Order No. 11, s. 2022" (PDF). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. December 29, 2022.
- ^ Romero, Alexis (January 5, 2023). "Marcos reorganizes Office of the President". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ "From OIC to secretary: Cheloy Garafil now heads Malacañang communications arm". The Philippine Star. January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ Esguerra, Darryl John (September 5, 2024). "Cesar Chavez is new PCO chief as Garafil heads to MECO". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Valente, Catherine (September 5, 2024). "Marcos moves Garafil to MECO as its new head". The Manila Times. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ "PCO chief's house damaged in QC fire". Philippine Daily Inquirer. February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ Reyes, Victor (February 13, 2024). "PCO secretary's house razed by fire". Malaya. Retrieved February 13, 2024.