"More than qualified."
That's how Senior Deputy Speaker and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo described lawyer Cheloy Garafil, who on Friday afternoon, Oct. 7 was appointed as undersecretary and officer-in- charge (OIC) of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).
"Atty. Cheloy Garafil is more than qualified to be the officer –in-charge at the Office of the Press Secretary," Arroyo said in her congratulatory message for Garafil, who previously worked as her media affairs director.
"She has proven her competence in reporting and media handling many times when she worked under me. I am very happy for her and wish her the best of luck!" said Arroyo, who represents Pampanga's 2nd district.
Garafil is taking over the post left by Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, albeit in an OIC capacity.
Garafil resigned as Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairperson in order to become OIC of the OPS.
Arroyo also served as House Speaker during the tail end of the 17th Congress.
Following the end of Speaker Arroyo’s previous term, Garafil worked at the House of Representatives as director of the powerful Committee on Rules.
She used to be a journalist before she joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a prosecutor.