By Brian Campued
Newly appointed Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez assured the public that the state media will take an active role in fighting fake news and disinformation.
In an interview with the media after taking his oath as PCO chief on Thursday, Chavez said that fact-checking officers will also be placed in PCO-affiliated agencies to ensure “timely, accurate, and validated information” dissemination.
“Kapag may nakita kaming sa tingin namin ay fake na fake, there’s a process of checking kung papaano makikita kung fake ang balita o hindi, mamarkahan kaagad namin. Para maliwanag na, para hindi na masyadong nailalabas,” he explained.
Chavez also committed to ensuring that the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as well as various government programs and projects are properly communicated to the masses.
“I’ll be helping the President explain his policies, some Cabinet decisions… executive decisions, in particular, his legislative agenda, [and] foreign policy… let’s say under the domain of the Department of Foreign Affairs, but sometimes if statement[s] from the President may be necessary, I’ll be helping,” he said.
“I will be asking some people who are experts on national security, who are experts on social development, who are experts on infrastructure on Public-Private Partnerships to help me [and] join my team,” he added.
Chavez took his oath before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Thursday.
In a social media post, the President expressed confidence in Chavez’s track record as a seasoned public servant and said that his only instruction to him is to “just tell the truth.”
“I have full trust that he will continue to serve with the same dedication and excellence that he has demonstrated in over three decades of public service; ensuring that the work we do is communicated effectively and immediately to the Filipino people,” Marcos said.
“Congratulations, Cesar. It has come full circle for you,” the Chief Executive added.
Chavez is now the third PCO secretary under the Marcos administration following Trixie Cruz-Angeles and Cheloy Garafil. (with report from Kenneth Paciente/PTV News)
– iro
