Official statements of the President concerning important national and international issues are only to be issued by presidential spokesperson Secretary Ernesto Abella, or in the absence of the spokesperson, by Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Malacañang said through a memorandum released last September 20.
Through this memorandum, government officials are ordered not to release any statements to the media on behalf of President Rodrigo Duterte. Statements can only be issued by government officials, excluding presidential spokesperson Secretary Ernesto Abella and PCO head Secretary Martin Andanar, if the matter is a direct concern of their offices or if it is approved by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
According to the memo by executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, government officials who are strictly refrained from releasing any presidential statements are the members of the Cabinet, agency heads, and National Government offices and instrumentalities which also include Government-Owned or –Controlled Corporations (GOCCs).
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Executive secretary Medialdea also reiterated that the memo was released after having received the instruction from the President and the approval of the Cabinet members during their most recent meeting.
This presidential memo was made after Andanar considered the suggestion made by Senator Franklin Drilon to formulate a memorandum that will give only the official presidential spokesmen the right to issue official statements on behalf of the President. It serves as a preventive measure to releasing conflicting statements that can confuse the public.
Lately, the PCO has received a lot of criticisms because of the confusing and conflicting statements that are claimed to be coming from the President. The PCO was even dubbed as “Presidential Miscommunication Office” because of their recent problem of releasing such statements regarding significant national and international issues.
Andanar assured the public that this matter is not being taken lightly and that actions are being taken in order to improve the Palace’s communication strategy. Political strategists have made recommendations to correct all the things wrong with Duterte’s communications strategy.
Sources: (rappler.com, gmanetwork.com)
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