Kimberly Capuyan

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on September 5 told Senior Undersecretary Cesar Chavez to “just tell the truth” in carrying out his duties as the newly-appointed Acting Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Photo Courtesy of GMA Network.

“I have full trust that he will continue to serve with the same dedication and excellence that he has demonstrated in over three decades of public service; ensuring that the work we do is communicated effectively and immediately to the Filipino people,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.

“My only instruction to him: just tell the truth,” he highlighted.

Chavez will serve in an acting capacity until the confirmation from Commission on Appointments of his designation as a full-pledged Cabinet Secretary.

In an interview with Malacañang Press Corps, Chavez stressed that eradicating fake news in the Philippines is one of his main priorities as the new chief.

He also pointed out that those in the government should not peddle fake news.

“Ang tingin ko ay may [responsibilidad] ang mga taga-gobyerno na huwag maging instrumento at huwag maglalako ng fake news,” Chavez said.

In the same statement, he underscored that it is not only the government’s, but also the public’s, duty to avoid spreading false information.

“At the same time, hindi lang ito obligasyon ng mga taga-gobyerno, pati ng nasa kabilang side, lalong-lalo na ang panawagan natin doon sa mga may malawak na pag-iisip, sa loob ng gobyerno, sa labas ng gobyerno na may responsibilidad sila na patatagin ang Republikang ito nang hindi maglalako ng fake news,” he added.

Fact-check officers are expected to be deployed soon in state-run media entities during Chavez’ tenure.

Aside from fake news, he also promised to prioritize Marcos’ policies, programs and projects as the officer-in-charge of his communications arm.

Chavez revealed that he was offered the post in August 2022 but he chose to serve in the Department of Transportation, which he served as the Undersecretary for Railways from July 2022 to Dec. 2023 and Assistant Secretary for Rail from Sept. 2016 to Feb. 2017.

He will serve as the third Communications chief of the Marcos administration.