Mayor Isko's chief of staff quits post but camp denies it's due to infighting

Media personality Cesar Chavez has resigned as Mayor Isko Moreno's chief of staff, but the mayor's camp denied that this was due to "infighting" among them.

In a Facebook post, Chavez said he has accepted a job offer from Manila Broadcasting Company. He said the offer was made as early as March and that he had told Moreno about this.

“I told Mayor Isko about the offer, and my intention to accept the same,” he said

He thanked Moreno, who is running for president in the 2022 elections, for his understanding and giving him the opportunity to work for Manila. He added he did not regret being the mayor’s chief of staff.

“With this decision, my family is happy. So happy to be back to my first love, radio broadcasting. Am done now with my other love, the government,” Chavez said.

Moreno, for his part, said he respects Chavez's decision.

During the day's Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Moreno said Chavez quit because of health and family.

“Nagkaroon siya ng health reason [he had a health reason], that’s one. Two, he has to attend to his family so ayokong mag-interfere kapag pamilya na [I don’t want to interfere if it involves family matters],” he said.

“Siyempre kaya ka naghahanapbuhay para sa pamilya mo (Of course, you're working because of your family). I respect that,” Moreno added.

Moreno’s political strategist, Angelito Banayo, denied speculations that Chavez's resignation has something to do with infighting among the mayor's presidential campaign team.

“I said that’s a great opportunity and the Mayor said it would be a good career move since talaga namang love niya ang pagiging broadcast journalist (Chavez really loves being a broadcast journalist),” Banayo said in a statement.

“Kaya dun sa mga bashers and intrigueros - tigilan nyo na ang chismis at intriga (So to the bashers and intriguers — stop the rumor and intrigue),” he added. —KBK, GMA News