PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz (File photo)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered to continue serving as head of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
鈥淎yon po sa Pangulo at ayon na rin po kay Secretary Jay, sabi po ng Pangulo ay magtuluy-tuloy lang po sa kanyang [PCO Chief Ruiz] pagtatrabaho (According to the President and also according to Secretary Jay, the President said he should just continue with his work),鈥� PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday.
The Commission on Appointments (CA) was scheduled to deliberate on Ruiz鈥檚 appointment on June 3 but deferred it due to a lack of material time.
Castro clarified that the CA鈥檚 action will not affect the PCO鈥檚 ongoing campaign against fake news and disinformation.
鈥淗indi naman po [makakaapekto]. Kung sino man po ang namumuno sa PCO, iyan din po ang magiging direktiba ng Pangulo: kalabanin at pahintuin hangga鈥檛 maaari ang fake news (It won鈥檛 affect it. Whoever heads the PCO, the President鈥檚 directive will remain the same: fight and stop fake news as much as possible),鈥� Castro said.
Earlier, three media groups expressed support for Ruiz, saying he has the 鈥減rofessionalism, journalistic integrity, and capacity to lead government messaging in a time of high public demand for truth and accountability.鈥�
The groups that expressed support include the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI), the Justice Reporters鈥� Organization (JUROR), and the Soccsksargen Press Club.
In a statement, JUROR cited Ruiz鈥檚 newsroom experience, which 鈥渕akes him uniquely positioned to handle the rigors of public communication.鈥�