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Presidential Communications Office

The Presidential Communications Office, formerly known as the Presidential Communications Group (PCG), is the lead communications arm of the Office of the President of the Philippines that is tasked with communicating the administration's messages and the executive branch of government. The office is headed by the Presidential Communications Secretary.

Presidential spokesperson
The Presidential Spokesperson spoke on behalf of the President about matters of public interest. Considering the restricted level of access that the media has to the Chief Executive, the spokesperson was expected to be the primary source of presidential directives in the absence of the President of the Philippines. The presidential spokesperson was not subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, and did not have any specific item or template in government. The position was last occupied by the secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Martin Andanar, in an acting capacity due to the resignation of Harry Roque, while the Assistant to the presidential spokesperson was Kris Roman of the Duterte administration. During the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, the office was abolished and all its personnel, equipment and functions were transferred to the office of the press secretary then headed by Trixie Cruz-Angeles. In December 2022, Daphne Oseña-Paez was appointed as the Presidential Communications Office Press Briefer, a position created only for briefings for the Malacañang Press Corps in the New Executive Building. All press conferences that includes President Bongbong Marcos is personally moderated by the PCO Secretary. In February 24, 2025, the position of a Palace Press Officer was created. The press officer's role, similar to a spokesperson, is to handle media relations for the Executive department. The press officer has a rank of undersecretary within the Presidential Communications Office. The press officer runs regular press briefings with reporters who cover the Office of the President and answer questions from journalists about the president's concerns or opinions. The press officer also explains new government policies, standard updates and daily activities of the president. Claire Castro was appointed for the position. ==Presidential Communications Office==
Presidential Communications Office
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is in charge of disseminating the government's message to private media entities. It exercises supervision and control over state-owned media entities to disseminate the official messages properly and effectively in accordance with the communications plan. It is responsible for the accreditation and authentication of the credentials of foreign media correspondents in line with its primary task to cultivate relations and assist private media entities. It is formerly known as the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) from April 28, 1986, to August 9, 2010, and June 30 to December 29, 2022, from the presidencies of Corazon Aquino to the first two months of her son Benigno Aquino III and the first six months of Bongbong Marcos, and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) from August 9, 2010, to June 30, 2022, during the rest of the administration of Benigno Aquino III and whole of Rodrigo Duterte's presidency. The PCO is composed of the following units and agencies: • APO Production Unit • Bureau of Communications Services • Freedom of Information-Program Management Office • Intercontinental Broadcasting CorporationNational Printing OfficePeople's Television NetworkPhilippine Information AgencyPhilippine News Agency - News and Information Bureau • Presidential Broadcast Service - Bureau of Broadcast Services (Radyo Pilipinas) • Presidential Broadcast Staff - Radio Television Malacañang Powers and functions Pursuant to Section 3 of the Executive Order No. 2, s. 2022, the Office of the Press Secretary shall perform the following functions: • Pronounce on behalf of the President the matters pertaining to his/her actions, policies, programs, official activities, and accomplishments. • Develop and implement necessary guidelines and mechanisms pertaining to the delivery and dissemination of information on policies, programs, official activities, and achievements of the President and the Executive Branch. • Coordinate the crafting, formulation, development, and enhancement of the messaging system under the Office of the President and the Executive Branch. • Supervise and Coordinate with the agencies and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC)'s attached to the Office of the Press Secretary for purposes of further strengthening the system of information delivery to the public. • Established and Maintain rapport with private media and other similar entities and stakeholders; and • Perform such other functions as the Office of the President may assign from time to time. Organization The Office of the Press Secretary shall be organized as follows pursuant to Section 2 of the Executive Order No. 2, s. 2022: (a) Office of the Secretary. The Office of the Secretary shall have an Assistant Secretary with support staff not more than twenty (20) personnel to be designated by the Press Secretary and approved by the Executive Secretary in the exigency of the service and in accordance with the civil service law and rules. (b) Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. In addition of the foregoing, there shall be Undersecretaries for the following areas. Each of which shall have Assistant Secretaries and Support Staff: (I) Operations, Plans and Policies (II) Administration, Finance and Procurement (III) Legal Affairs (IV) Media Accreditation and Relations (V) Digital Media Services (VI) Print Media Services and related Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC)'s and attached agencies (VII) Broadcast Media Services and related Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC)'s and attached agencies; and (VIII) Special Concerns ==Key officials==
Key officials
Office of the Secretary Dave Gomez – Secretary • Atty. Clarissa A. Castro – Press Undersecretary • Cecilia M. Suerte Felipe, DPA, LPT – Director III, Chief of the Presidential News Desk (PND) ;Undersecretaries • Emerald Anne R. Ridao – Senior Undersecretary for Digital Media Services • Jorjette B. Aquino – Undersecretary for Administration, Finance and GOCCs • Gerald R. Baria – Undersecretary for Content Production • Atty. Ronadale M. Zapata – Assistant Secretary for Legal, Administration, Finance and GOCCs • Jose Maria M. Villarama II – Officer-in-Charge, Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and concurrent Assistant Secretary for Television ;Assistant secretaries • Claudyn Marie L. Caparon – Assistant Secretary for Inter-Agency Communications Operations • Allan C. Francisco – Assistant Secretary for Integrated State Media News Operations • Dale Q. Vera – Assistant Secretary for Media Accreditation and Relations • Patricia Kayle S. Martin – Assistant Secretary for Digital Media and Communications • Rowena H. Otida – Assistant Secretary for Cultural Affairs and International Engagements • Ana Dominique M. Consulta – Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Communications (Build Better More Cluster) • Faith B. De Guia – Assistant Secretary for Asset Management and Communication for Disaster Preparedness and Response ;Bureau and service directors • Nicole M. Poyaoan – Director III, Integrated State Media News Operations • Maria Waywaya B. Macalma – Director III, Television Communications • Rowena S. Quiogue – Director III, Administration • Sheryll Anne M. Lizarondo – Director III, Print Media Communications • Atty. Rufino Gerard G. Moreno III – Director III, Financial Management Service ;Division chiefs • Ma. Alma A. Francisco – Budget Division • Ma. Teresa L. Ubas – Accounting Division • Gerald M. Bautista – General Services Division • Rochelle I. Rubenecia – Human Resource Development Division • Mary Willen DJ Renomeron – Procurement Division • Atty. Enzo Emmanuel P. Toledo – Legal Division • Krizia Casey P. Avejar – Communications and Capacity Development Division • Ma. Danica Andeo Orcullo – Policy, Planning, and Support Division • Eden Darlene A. Mendoza – Compliance Monitoring Division • Jose L. Ogrimen Jr. – Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Division ;Attached agency, bureau and office heads PCO Integrated State MediaKatherine Chloe S. De Castro – Director General, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) • Demetrio C. Pasco, Jr. – Executive Editor, Philippine News Agency (PNA) • Fernando “Dindo” Amparo Sanga - Bureau Director/Head of Agency- Presidential Broadcast Service - Bureau of Broadcast Services (BBS) - Radyo Pilipinas • Maria Lourdes C. Fagar - General Manager, People's Television Network, Inc. (PTV 4) • Jose C. Policarpio Jr. – President and CEO, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC 13) Other attached agencies • Jereco O. Paloma – Officer in Charge, News and Information Bureau (NIB) • Atty. Revsee A. Escobedo – Director IV, National Printing Office (NPO) • Atty. Gil Carlos R. Puyat IV – President, APO Production Unit, Inc. • Arlene A. Barrientos – Officer in Charge, Bureau of Communications Services • Franz Gerard R. Imperial – Executive Director, Presidential Broadcast Staff-Radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM) ==Units under the Presidential Communications Office==
Units under the Presidential Communications Office
With the reorganization of the PCOO under President Bongbong Marcos, most units previously under the agency were transferred to the Presidential Communications Office. is the main development communication arm of the government. The PIA directly serves the Presidency and the executive branch of the national, regional and provincial levels through its 16 regional offices and 71 provincial information centers. Its core services include: information gathering/research, production and dissemination, and institutional development and capacity-building focusing on alliance-building, networking, communication-related training, consultancy and technical assistance. The PIA is also the advertising arm of the government. It is headed by a director general with a rank of undersecretary and four deputy director generals, four assistant director generals, staff directors in the central office, regional directors in the regional offices, and more than 500 permanent and contractual employees. It works closely with other government agencies, in particular the National Printing Office in the production of information materials. Its tagline is "Empowering Communities". The PIA works with community stakeholders, including local government units, line agencies, private entities, schools, colleges and universities, civil society organizations, and other groups in ensuring proper dissemination of information at the grassroots level. The agency advocates responsible sharing of information and responsible use of social media. Its current management and personnel work with the mantra and belief that "a well-informed Filipino is an empowered Filipino". Currently, the PIA is under the direct supervision of the Office of the President and absorbed offices previously under the PCOO, namely the Bureau of Communications Services, the Freedom of Information – Project Management Office, and the Good Governance Office. National Printing Office The National Printing Office (NPO) was established by Executive Order No. 285 on July 25, 1987. Executive Order No. 285 abolished the General Services Administration and transferred its functions to other agencies. Its Government Printing Offices were merged with the printing units of the PIA. The NPO is mandated by Executive Order No. 285 to print forms, official ballots, public documents, and public information materials. News and Information Bureau The News and Information Bureau's main aim is to provide services relating to the development and formulation of a domestic and foreign information program for the Government in general, and the Presidency in particular, including the development of strategies for the dissemination of information on specific government programs. It is composed of the following divisions: • Finance and Administrative Division • Presidential Press Staff • Media Accreditation and Relations Division/International Press Center • Philippine News Agency OP Web Development Office The OP Web Development Office, commonly referred to as the President's New Media Team, is responsible for the establishment and management of the President's Official Website and Official Presence on social networking channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. It is also partly responsible for the feedback mechanism of the President wherein it receives the comments, concerns and suggestions through the Contact Us section of the President's website. It is also responsible for the President's Social Media engagement and in maximizing the use of new technologies to further the President's agenda, policies and programs. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office The Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) ensures that all aspects of communications are covered, to ensure that the administration's message has been delivered successfully. This includes market research and polling. It devises the communications strategy to promote the President's agenda throughout all media, and among the many people with whom the administration interacts. This can include, but is not limited to, the State of the Nation address, televised press conferences, statements to the press, and radio addresses. This office also works closely with cabinet-level departments and other executive agencies, in order to create a coherent strategy through which the president's message can be disseminated. Prior to June 30, 2016, the PCDSPO was composed of the following units and agencies, all of which were under the PCOO: • Presidential Message Staff • The OP Correspondence Office (previously placed under the Office of the Communications Director from the Presidential Management Staff per E.O. No. 348, August 11, 2004 • Media Research and Development Staff created by E.O. No. 297, July 25, 1987, from the Office of the Press Secretary • The Presidential Museum and Library • The Official Gazette • The Speech Writers Group (previously placed under the Office of the Communications Director from the Presidential Management Staff per E.O. No. 348, August 11, 2004 ==Controversies==
Controversies
During the Duterte administration, the PCOO has been criticized for various errors and lapses committed by the office, including what one lawmaker called a "revisionist attempt to whitewash the dark years of martial law". The Secretary of the PCOO assured Congress that it will not repeat the office's mistakes. In their 2020 annual report, the Commission on Audit flagged the PCOO for the mass hiring of employees under contract service worth PH₱70.6 million. Speculation cited that they're hiring them as "online trolls" to attack critics of the government, in which the state media agency denied the claim. ==Notes==
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