Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil announced Friday, Oct. 7, that she has resigned from her post to serve as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Garafil, a lawyer and former journalist, served as the LTFRB chairperson for 95 days after she assumed the position last July 4.
“Today, October 7, 2022, I tendered my resignation as LTFRB chairperson as I have accepted the offer to help in the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) as its undersecretary and OIC ,” Garafil said in a statement sent to reporters.
Garafil said it will be a “great honor and privilege” for her to serve as Marcos’ press secretary after lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles quit last Oct. 4 due to health reasons.
Garafil helped steady the LTFRB when the country was rocked this year by surging global oil prices which affected transportation fares, keeping the balance between easing the burden of many public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and the commuting public.
Garafil's replacement at LTFRB has yet to be named as of writing.
Meanwhile, as the new press secretary, Garafil will pronounce, on behalf of Marcos, matters pertaining to the President’s actions, policies, programs, official activities, and accomplishments. She will also develop and implement necessary guidelines and mechanisms to disseminate information on such matters.
She will also be tasked to coordinate the formulation and enhancement of the messaging system under the Office of the President and the Executive Branch.
Garafil will also supervise and coordinate with agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) attached to the OPS “for purposes of further strengthening the system of information delivery to the public,” and maintain rapport with the media and other stakeholders.
Prior to the LTFRB post, Garafil served as a Director II of the House of Committee on Rules under the House of Representatives Secretariat. As a lawyer, she served as a prosecutor from 2004 to 2010 for the Department of Justice and state solicitor in 2010 under the Office of the Solicitor General.
She also worked as a media practitioner for the Philippine Daily Globe, Central News Agency, Associated Press, and Malaya.