The House of Representatives has officially appointed former President Communications Office (PCO) Chief Atty. Cheloy Garafil as the new House Secretary General.

During a House session on Tuesday, September 23, Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos moved to declare the position of Secretary General vacant. With this, he moved to elect Garafil to the post.

The latter will replace Reginald Velasco, who served as House Secretary during Martin Romualdez’s Speakership in the 19th Congress and for three months in the 20th Congress.

RH Milky Rigonan reported that Garafil was elected as House Speaker under the leadership of now-House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.

Apart from her experience as PCO Chief under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, Garafil also served as the former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s chief-of-staff in the past.

Meanwhile, former Philippine Army official and retired Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Melchor dela Cruz is also appointed as the new Sergeant-at-Arms, replacing Napoleon Taas.

Speaker Dy administered the oath for the two officials.