PCOO shakeup: Abella to speak for Duterte, Andanar to focus on running agency

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will be reverted to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) in a reorganization that will come amid issues involving PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar's relationship with the media.

 

Andanar said an executive order that would revive the OPS is now awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

 

“On the desk of the president right now is the executive order reverting back to the Office of the Press Secretary," Andanar said during the blessing of the newly renovated International Press Center in Manila last Wednesday.

 

"Let's wait for it to be signed and then we can officially release that," he added.

 

While the president has yet to issue the order reviving the OPS, some changes have already been implemented at the PCOO.

 

In a department order dated February 27, Andanar placed presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella in charge of transferring, content and distribution of Malacañang messages. Andanar used to have overall supervision of content and messaging.

 

"In the exigency of service and in accordance with the authority of the Secretary... the content and messaging of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, including the authority for the final release and distribution, shall hereinafter be under the supervision and control of the Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella," the still unnumbered order signed by Andanar read.

 

LOOK: PCOO to be reorganized; Content and messaging will now be handled by Presidential spox Ernesto Abella @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/syqPoTYZFE

— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) March 2, 2017

 

Andanar clarified that the reorganization had nothing to do with issues involving his relationship with the media.

 

“It is not an offshoot (of the issues). I will concentrate in running PCOO Proper and its attached agencies to ensure lasting reforms,” Andanar said.

 

“I will speak from time to time if spokesperson Ernie Abella is not around,” he added.

 

The entities attached to the PCOO are Philippine Information Agency, the News and Information Bureau, Philippine News Agency, Bureau of Communications Services, National Printing Office, APO Production Unit, People’s Television, Radyo ng Bayan and the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp.

 

Abella said Andanar would handle “departmental affairs” of the PCOO.

 

Andanar has had some clashes with the media, whom he previously called out for supposedly misreporting the statements of the president.

 

Last month, Andanar claimed that money was offered during the press conference of retired policeman Arthur Lascañas at the Senate. Lascañas accused Duterte of ordering the killing of criminals while he was mayor of Davao City.

 

“I received reports that as much as $1,000 were distributed during this presscon. I won’t name my source but such huge amount was given so that it will be covered,” Andanar told CNN Philippines in Filipino last February 20.  

 

“Pinagbibigyan daw yung mga reporter doon sa kung saan nangyari, may mga nag-offer daw, hindi ko lang alam kung tinanggap, pero mayroong nagsumbong sa akin na ganoon (Reporters were given at the venue. There were offers but I do not know if they were accepted. I was informed about it),” he added.

 

Senate reporters chided Andanar for supposedly spreading “fake news” and making an “irresponsible and unsubstantiated claim.”

 

Andanar refused to apologize for his statement and clarified that no journalist was alluded to as a recipient of the money distributed.

 

The OPS was reorganized during the time of President Benigno Aquino III.

 

In 2010, Aquino renamed the OPS into the PCOO and formed the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning (PCDSP).

 

PCDSP is tasked to handle messaging while PCOO oversees the dissemination and state-run media entities.

 

Before assuming the presidency, Duterte said he preferred to have just one press office.