Cheloy Garafil

Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil is a Filipino lawyer and former journalist who serves as the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office.

Education
Garafil attended the University of Santo Tomas (UST) where she graduated with a communication arts degree. She later pursued law studies in the same university, then passed the bar examination in 2003.

Journalism
Prior to working in the government, Garafil served as a reporter for the newspaper Malaya. She also worked for the Philippine Daily Globe and the Central News Agency of Taiwan.

Government
Garafil worked as a prosecutor for the Department of Justice during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

On October 7, 2022, Garafil resigned as chair of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to assume the position of Officer in Charge of the Office of the Press Secretary. The office would later be reorganized as the Presidential Communications Office on December 29, 2022. She would lead the office under a regular capacity when she took oath as Press Secretary on January 10, 2023.

Personal life
Garafil's house (registered under the name of a relative) was totally destroyed by a 2-hour fire at 8:30 p.m., February 15, 2024 which started at 67 year old Korean national Kim Jong Hoo house at Gabriela Silang Street, New Capitol Estates 1, Batasan Hills. “Ma’am [Garafil] is okay, she is currently staying with her relatives,” SFO4 Mark Modia and Capt. Zeter Patalinghug said.