Is Secretary Martin not doing his job?

If there’s something that needs to be addressed in a particular agency, I’ll talk about it and call the attention of that agency as what I’ve done with LTFRB and DICT in a previous article. This goes to say that this article is not in any way an attempt to gain positive point nor gain the favor of the head of the agency I belong to, nor is this an attack on the people who criticize the PCOO. This is just to address what I believe to be unfair criticisms thrown against Secretary Martin Andanar.

I understand the importance of people criticizing government officials because I believe that through these criticisms we can change for the better. However, in the case of the PCOO Secretary, I don’t share some people’s view that he’s not doing a good job as the head of Presidential Communications Operations Office. Yes, he’s not perfect but can you bring me someone who is? He may not meet the expectations of everyone, but when it comes to leading PCOO, I believe that he’s the right man for the job; now, let me tell you why:

Did you know that when Secretary Martin was appointed at PCOO, he saw an agency that is thirsty for change, he saw an agency that was left unchanged by the previous administration. In the past administration, it was believed that instead of making use of the PCOO and its attached agencies, they just get the budget and hire PR firms for the president, thus no improvements were made. This changed when Secretary Martin took responsibility of heading PCOO, and in line with President Duterte’s promise of change, he’s bringing change as well in PCOO and its attached agencies. Several improvements were made especially in the offices and strategies to communicate better to the people. He is working hard to bring back to life the agencies that has long been forgotten by the people. With the PCOO Secretary’s efforts, more people are now aware or familiar with People’s Television Network Inc. (PTV), Philippine News Agnecy (PNA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), and Radyo Pilipinas. This is just a glimpse of what Secetary Martin is doing as head of PCOO, and if you only know how hard he’s working to improve the agency to achieve his vision to make it world-class, you will admire him as I do. He may not be perfect, but I believe that he’s the perfect man for the job and he has the heart for it.

Now, let me just answer some questions, statements, or concerns pertaining to Secretary Martin:

1. Why doesn’t he defend the President?

We talked about this and the reason why he’s not defending the President, no matter how much he wants to, is because the President himself has given the order. President Duterte does not want them defending him as he can defend himself, he only wants the Cabinet members to focus on their job and their mandate.

2. Why doesn’t he remove media that are being considered as traitor to the country, like Rappler?

The PCOO has no control or power over the mainstream media and President Duterte himself said that though he may not agree with what people are saying, he will defend their right to say it, and this includes mainstream media, even if it’s evident that they can be used for smearing his image.

3. Secretary Martin should just do his job.

The PCOO Secretary is doing his job and unknown to all, he’s doing more than what his job requires him to do. PCOO is also working hard in bringing good news to the people by working with different agencies. PCOO is covering the “Real Numbers,” “Build, Build, Build!,” “Dutertenomics,” “Cabinet Report,” and many more.

4. Secretary Martin is a Yellowtard.

This is, by far, the funniest accusation thrown at Secretary Martin, because in all the attacks we received from the yellowtards and some mainstream media, he was there to defend us. Even with all the pressure he’s getting to fire us, he continues to stand his ground because he sees the importance in closing the gap between the government and the people and I believe that’s what he’s defending. He is fighting for ordinary people’s right to have access with the President and the good things he’s doing; And this what we’re doing when we cover President Duterte, we get a message from him for the people, and we share to him some concerns of the people as well that we get through social media. Now, if he truly is a Yellowtard, wouldn’t it be more beneficial for him if he fires us and let the mainstream media dominate the information that the public will get?

Now, let me just say that there’s no problem with criticizing the PCOO, the Secretary and all its officials, none of us are perfect. But let it not be said that Secretary Martin Andanar is not doing his job because when we compare the PCOO today from what it was before, a lot has already changed when he started steering it in the right direction.