(FILES) Lawyer and radio commentator-vlogger Rose Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the renaming of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to the Office of Press Secretary (OPS) and the abolition of the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson.
Marcos Jr. issued the order through Executive Order No. 2, signed by Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez. The order is dated June 30 but was only obtained by the media on Thursday, July 7.
“Now, therefore, I, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by existing laws, do hereby order the following: The PCOO is hereby re-organized and renamed as the Office of the Press Secretary which shall be headed by a Press Secretary,” the executive order reads.
Marcos Jr. earlier appointed lawyer-vlogger Trixie Cruz-Angeles as press secretary. Cruz-Angeles has so far conducted several press briefings but earlier stressed that she is a “press secretary” and not Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson.
Based on EO No. 2, the OPS has the power to pronounce, on behalf of the President, matters pertaining to his actions, policies, programs, official activities, and accomplishments.
The OPS is also tasked to develop and implement necessary guidelines and mechanisms pertaining to the delivery and dissemination of information in policies, programs, official activities, and achievements of the President and the executive branch.
It is likewise mandated to establish and maintain rapport with private media and other similar entities and stakeholders, as well as supervise and coordinate with agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations attached to the OPS.
EO No. 2 further details that agencies and offices attached to the OPS include the Bureau of Broadcast Services, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, National Printing Office, News and Information Bureau, and People’s Television Network, Inc.
Marcos Jr.’s second directive also repealed the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, previously occupied by lawyer Harry Roque under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The Office of the Presidential Spokesperson is hereby abolished, and all its permanent personnel, equipment, and functions are transferred to the OPS,” the executive order states.
During the presidential campaign, Marcos Jr. said he will not appoint a spokesperson saying he would rather face the media himself.
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