Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Relaying The Message

IN WHAT APPEARS to be yet another blunder, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) — for the nth time — failed to effectively relay a simple message embarking on “courtesy resignations.”

The PCO issued a press statement saying that Marcos sought the courtesy resignations of Cabinet secretaries, but there was no mention that the directive included other heads of agencies.

According to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the quit call, which is primarily aimed at recalibrating the administration, isn’t limited to cabinet secretaries. It covers presidential advisers, agency heads and bureau chiefs as part of the administration’s recalibration

He particularly cited the memorandum order which reads “Cabinet Secretaries, Heads of Agencies of Cabinet rank, other Heads of Agencies, Presidential Advisers/Assistants” to tender their “unqualified courtesy resignation.”

‘Taking a closer look at the government communications team, they all seemed qualified for the job. Could it be the absence of coordination among them that spoiled the job?’

EXEMPTED

It is for the PCO’s failure to relay the message the way they’re supposed to, that other presidential appointees — like Presidential Adviser Larry Gadon, was under impression that he’s exempted from tendering the courtesy resignation.

To be perfectly candid, relaying the president’s message doesn’t require a rocket scientist. It’s as simple as ABC.

Taking a closer look at the government communications team, they all seemed qualified for the job. Could it be the absence of coordination among them that spoiled the job?

Since the “new communications team” was formed in February, PCO has yet to prove that they’re worth the handsome salaries drawn from our taxes.

They can’t effectively handle controversies, they’re not even responsive to national crises. Worse, they are not good at damage control. Failure, that’s what it is.

EMBARRASSING

For one, the government’s chief communications arm’s inability to do a simple task which is to get its messaging right is unacceptable. And to think that the PCO is composed of seasoned communicators.

PCO’s incompetence and inconsistency translates to dismal credibility, which in itself should be more than enough reason for the President to seriously consider replacing Press Secretary Jay Ruiz — or perhaps the entire team.

Embarrassing is an understatement to describe the way PCO is handling government communications.

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