By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
The directive for all officials of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to resign from their respective posts will give Acting Secretary Dave Gomez a free hand to choose his staff, Malacañang said on Wednesday, July 16.
In a radio interview, PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said she would submit her courtesy resignation within the day.
“Para po mabigyan din siya ng leeway para makapamili kung sino ang mga taong pwede niyang makasama. At syempre, mas maganda kung kilala niya ang tao na makakapagsilbi po para sa taumbayan,” Castro said.
This, as Gomez confirmed that he directed all incumbent PCO undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and directors, as well as heads and other presidential appointees of the agency’s attached agencies, to tender their unqualified courtesy resignations not later than July 18.
Gomez said the issuance of the memorandum is a standard transition practice, while the performance review is underway.
Based on the memorandum issued by Gomez on Monday, July 14, Gomez said all PCO officials would continue to report for work and perform their usual duties and responsibilities, “until any action is taken” on their courtesy resignations.
Asked if there is an instruction for her to tone down when responding to media queries during Palace press briefings, Castro said she is “gentle” in answering questions.
“Malumanay naman po ako. Sobra po akong malumanay. Nagkakataon lang po siguro, may mga pagkakataon na kailangang labanan ang fake news,” she said.
“Siguro, ang gusto lang naman sila sa akin, kung ano ang totoo. Mahirap naman po kasi na para mag-acting ako. So, kung ano po ‘yong akin at kung ano ang hawak kong katotohanan, ‘yon ang ipaglalaban ko,” Castro added. (PNA)
