‘Falling short,’ Chavez quits PCO; Ruiz in

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has picked a former television reporter as the next secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), replacing Cesar Chavez, who admitted that he has “fallen short” of what was expected of him.

Ruiz who covered defense and politics for ABS-CBN, would assume his new post on March 1, according to Chavez, who announced his resignation yesterday.

“I spoke to Jay Ruiz already. I informed him that I will introduce him to the PCO mancom (management committee) on Monday, Feb. 24, so he can begin a week-long transition, so that by March 1, it’s already a plug-and-play for him as the new PCO secretary,” Chavez said in a text message to reporters.

Ruiz will be the fourth PCO secretary under the present administration. Marcos’ first communications secretary was vlogger Trixie Angeles, who was succeeded by former journalist and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chief Cheloy Garafil.

Chavez, a veteran radio broadcaster who served as transportation undersecretary for railways, replaced Garafil last September.

The outgoing PCO chief said he submitted his irrevocable resignation last Feb. 5.

“Although there is much for which I am grateful and a long list of people to thank, I leave with only one regret: in my estimation, I have fallen short of what was expected of me,” he said without elaborating.

“It is to this fidelity to the truth – the bedrock belief to which I have anchored myself as a former broadcast journalist – that I must tell the unvarnished truth about my resignation,” he added.

While he is signing off from the Marcos Cabinet, Chavez noted that he is not signing out as a “believer” of the administration, saying he would continue to support its vision “outside of government but within the realm of public service.”

“I would like to thank the President for the opportunity to serve, which has been an honor of a lifetime made possible only by his trust and confidence in me,” he said.

Before announcing his resignation, Chavez went on a five-day leave starting Feb. 17.

Ruiz’s father, Alfonso Ruiz, was a long-time town mayor of Ilocos Norte, the birthplace of Marcos’ late father and namesake.

The incoming PCO chief was an ABS-CBN reporter for more than 20 years, covering various beats, including the military, the police and the Liberal Party during the 2016 polls.

After retiring from the Lopez-led network in 2016, Ruiz worked for Sen. Koko Pimentel, who was then the Senate president. In 2020, he was tapped as one of the anchors of the program “Kuwentuhang Lokal” at the defunct dzMM Teleradyo.

Ruiz is one of the founders of art gallery Sentro Artista and media firm Digital 8 Inc. He also maintains the YouTube channel Jay Ruiz Talks.