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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cheloy Garafil is new House secretary general; new sergeant-at-arms also named

Cheloy Garafil is new House secretary general; new sergeant-at-arms also named

Published Sep 23, 2025 05:03 pm

At A Glance

  • Two positions of confidence in the House of Representatives were filled with new people during plenary session Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 23. House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III, who took over the reins from Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez only last Sept. 17, has sworn in his new secretary general and sergeant-at-arms.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III (left), House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil (Facebook)
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III (left), House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil (Facebook)

Two positions of confidence in the House of Representatives were filled with new people during plenary session Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 23.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, who took over the reins from Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez only last Sept. 17, has sworn in his new secretary general and sergeant-at-arms.
Dy administered the oath of office to lawyer Cheloy Garafil, who replaced Reginald Velasco for the position of secretary general. The secretary general is the highest civilian official in the House.
Dy, Isabela's 6th district congressman, also administered the oath of office to retired Brigadier Gen. Ferdinand Melchor dela Cruz as the new sergeant-at-arms. The latter replaced Major Gen. Napoleon Taas as the top security man in the lower chamber.
Garafil is a former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) secretary under President Marcos. Most recently, she was Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairperson and resident.
In a statement sent to House reporters a few hours later, Garafil said: "It is with great honor and deep sense of responsibility that I formally assume the position of Secretary General of the House of Representatives of the Philippines."
The lawyer says she is "humbled by the trust and confidence" given to her, and thus "pledge to serve with integrity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to the mandate of this institution".
"I look forward to working with the leadership of the House in its collective mission to enact meaningful legislation that responds to the needs of our people. As secretary general, I shall work closely with the Honorable Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, the Honorable Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, the members of the House, and the secretariat to ensure that our legislative processes are efficient, transparent, and responsive," said Garafil.
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