PCO chief Ruiz reappointed, but 17 other officials exit
After getting bypassed by the Commission on Appointments (CA), veteran broadcast journalist Jay Ruiz on Monday secured another appointment from President Marcos as ad interim chief of Malacañang’s main communications arm.
But 17 other officials under the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) were not as lucky.
In a message to Palace reporters, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed the release of Ruiz’s papers as PCO ad interim secretary on Monday.
PCO Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro also confirmed the President’s reappointment of Henry Rhoel Aguda as secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
The reappointments came five days after Ruiz and Aguda initially failed to get the CA’s approval on the last session day before the 19th Congress went on sine die adjournment.
Under the law, Mr. Marcos must reappoint such officials for them to be reconsidered for confirmation in the next Congress.
‘Fresh mandate’
In a statement on Tuesday, Ruiz—a former ABS-CBN broadcast journalist and businessman—thanked the President for his “continued trust and confidence” to lead the PCO.
“This fresh mandate is both an honor and a responsibility that strengthens my resolve to serve with greater dedication, especially at a time when effective communication is central to the success of the administration’s programs,” he said.
Ruiz vowed to continue his campaign against fake news “through truthful, timely, and transparent communication.”
He said he was inspired by the President’s leadership, one “marked by quiet determination and an unwavering commitment to public service.”
“It is this same spirit that drives me to lead the PCO with professionalism, integrity, and purpose,” Ruiz said, thanking unnamed media groups who supported him as PCO chief.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, Castro announced that the courtesy resignations filed by 17 PCO officials, with the rank of director up to undersecretary, were recently accepted by the Palace.
The courtesy resignations were sought by Ruiz when he assumed office in February.
Removed from website
Castro did not name the 17, but a check with the PCO website showed that the names of several officials had been removed as of June 10.
They included Undersecretary for Administration, Finance, and GOCCs Jorjette Aquino, Assistant Secretary for Inter-Agency Communications Operations Claudine Marie Caparon, Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Communications Ana Dominique Consulta, Assistant Secretary for Media Accreditation and Relations Dale De Vera; and PCO Directors Maribel Dario, Sheryll Anne Lizarondo, Alexius Calda, Luis Morente, Lee Ann Ducusin, Nelson De Guzman, Florante Solmerin, and Robertzon Ramirez.
Philippine Information Agency Deputy Director General Adolfo Ares Gutierrez has also resigned from his post.
The movements were apart from the resignation of PCO Senior Undersecretary Analisa Puod, which she submitted to Mr. Marcos on Monday.
Castro said Puod’s resignation was “voluntary” and was not due the President’s earlier call for courtesy resignations from Cabinet officials, heads of government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations.
“[W]hatever her reasons are, that’s a personal matter,” she said.
‘Untenable condition’
In her resignation letter dated June 15, Puod thanked Mr. Marcos for the opportunity to serve in the PCO since mid-February when Ruiz assumed office.
She said she was leaving “based on the untenable condition within the current leadership of the PCO.”
Last week, Ruiz issued Special Order No. 25-127 which designated Puod as head of the PCO’s strategic communications cluster and supervising officer for interagency communications operations.
It gave her authority to give strategic direction and supervisory insight over state media companies and their integrated news operations.
