Ex-Cavite lawmaker Gilbert Remulla also eyed as next press secretary

Gilbert Remulla/PHOTO TWITTER ACCOUNT

MANILA, Philippines — The pool of potential candidates to replace Trixie Cruz-Angeles as press secretary continues to grow.

Gilbert Remulla, a former lawmaker from Cavite and TV reporter, is in the running for the press secretary position.

Cruz-Angeles resigned Tuesday due to health reasons.

Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez made the announcement on Wednesday and said that he, too, is a pick for a job.

According to Chavez, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. executive Michael Toledo and Remulla are the other two names in contention for the position.

“I was told being considered sila (they were being considered). Two more names. Mike Toledo at si Gilbert Remulla,” he told reporters in an interview.

Toledo earlier said he is open to accepting the position should it be offered to him. But he declined to answer categorically if an offer had already been made.

Chavez said he was told he was being considered to replace Cruz-Angeles as press secretary days ago, and he is currently contemplating whether to accept it or not.

“Bigyan ako ng pagkakataon na i-process ang alok na ito and at the same time, if there’s a chance, i-discuss kung anong pwedeng gawin,” he said.

(I hope I will be allowed to process this offer and, at the same time, if there’s a chance, discuss what can be done.)

He said he had vowed to focus on the rail sector and previously expressed no interest in being the press secretary.

“Honestly, maraming highly qualified na pwedeng maging press secretary. Honestly, ang tingin ko mas maraming competent, mas kayang-kaya nila ang trabaho nila. Mentally, physically and emotionally, and professionally, they’re more qualified kaysa sa akin,” Chavez said.

(Honestly, many are highly qualified to be the new press secretary. But, honestly, I think some people are more competent and able to handle the job. Mentally, physically, emotionally, and professionally, they are more qualified than me.)

He also said the views of the new press secretary should be aligned with the whole information network infrastructure of the Marcos administration.

Chavez worked as a news anchor and station manager of DZRH before being named Undersecretary of the Department of Transportation. He was the chief of staff of former Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso until he quit in October 2021 due to health reasons.

KGA/abc