By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

As former PCO Acting Secretary Dave Gomez steps down from his post, PTV General Manager Lino Cayetano was installed by the administration as the next person to helm the government’s communications arm.

This, as the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) vowed to build upon the momentum of its previous leaders to establish itself as a reliable source of information through the following agenda:

• Expanding engagement with media organizations and practitioners
• Strengthening partnerships with stakeholders, LGUs, and other institutions
• Expanding grassroots communications
• Reinforcing the anti-fake news campaign
• Enhancing campaigns for Filipinos to better understand government programs and services

The last item in the list became a focal point for discussion, as PCO Acting Secretary Cayetano discussed in a media interview how his agency would align with the administration’s thrust for delivering accurate, timely, and relevant information about government initiatives to the masses.

He expounded, “Para sa akin, ang pinakaimportante, I’m building on the strength of every PCO Secretary. Each one of them, I’m gonna, as much as I can, talk to, consult, seek their advice. And tama ‘yung ating Pangulo, it’s a continuous evolution nung communication landscape.”

The PCO chief added, “Pero ang hindi nagbabago, yung pinakamahalaga, pinakaimportanteng trabaho ng PCO, which is yung bawat kababayan natin maabot natin, mabigyan natin ng mabilis, tama at epektibong impormasyon tungkol sa ginagawa ng ating gobyerno.”

Under his leadership, Secretary Cayetano said that he will place a premium on face-to-face interactions, which he touts as the most effective form of engagement with stakeholders and intended audiences, asserting that the agency will keep its ears open for feedback and complaints to ensure improvement in the delivery of public services.

However, he underscored that the PCO will continue to leverage social media not only to make the government’s presence felt online, but also to serve as a conduit for engagement and interaction beyond the reach of traditional media platforms.

Reinvigorating the government’s premier news channel

Fresh from his stint as the top brass of People’s Television Network (PTV), Secretary Cayetano emphasized the key role of the Network in promoting transparency and accountability by carrying President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s messages and government programs in its regular programming.

Apart from that, he also intends to streamline the messaging of various government agencies to ensure uniformity and make it easier for Filipinos to access and understand how these initiatives would resonate with their lives.

“The vision of PTV when the President talked to me was, you know, to become an instrument for transparency, accountability, and to bring it down para maintindihan ng mga kababayan natin yung mensahe ng Pangulo at yung mga programa natin.”

The PCO Chief’s remarks underscore the role of government media in translating official announcements and policy initiatives into clear, accessible information that Filipinos can understand and use.

Recently, the Network earned recognition from the Philippine Coast Guard at the 2026 Stakeholders’ Night, with PTV News senior correspondent Patrick de Jesus receiving the Plaque of Recognition on behalf of the Network. (with report from Kenneth Paciente | PTV News)

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