Cabinet men barred from issuing statements on behalf of Duterte

Cabinet members and government officials should refrain from issuing statements on behalf of President Rodrigo Duterte, a Palace memorandum released Monday read.

The memorandum signed on September 20 by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said “official statements of the President on significant national and international issues” should only be issued by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

In his absence, all statements on behalf of the President would be delivered only by Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

“The members of the Cabinet, heads of agencies, offices and instrumentalities of the National government, including Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) shall refrain from giving statements to the media except on matters directly concerning their office or unless prior clearance has been secured from the PCOO,” the memorandum read.

The memorandum was issued “pursuant to the instructions of the President and in accordance with the consensus reached during previous Cabinet Meetings.”

The order came after the conflicting statements issued between the Cabinet officials and the President.