LTFRB chair Garafil steps down, accepts OIC post in Office of Press Secretary

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil stepped down from her post Thursday to take another role in the Office of the Press Secretary.

“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 as its Undersecretary and OIC (officer-in-charge),” Garafil, a former journalist, said in a statement.

“This is a great honor and privilege and I thank the President for this opportunity to once again work with him in his administration to serve the Filipino people,” she added.

Meanwhile, when asked for confirmation if Garafil would be the OPS' officer-in-charge, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin responded "Yes."

In June, Garafil was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lead the LTFRB.

She served as service director at the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives. She also served as prosecutor for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and State Solicitor for the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

Marcos earlier said that a new press secretary would be named next week, to fill the post vacated by Trixie Cruz-Angeles who resigned due to health reasons.

Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Speaker and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated Garafil on her latest appointment, saying that she is more than qualified to be the OIC of the Office of the Press Secretary.

"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!" Arroyo said in a statement.

Garafil previously served as director who handled media affairs during Arroyo's stint as Speaker of the lower chamber. After that, she also worked as director of the chamber's Committee on Rules. —with Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL/RSJ, GMA News