PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed undersecretaries and several officials as part of the reorganization of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Malacañang said on Thursday, February 16, 2023.
Leading the new appointees is PBBM’s long-time aide, Honey Rose Mercado, who will now be undersecretary for Traditional Media and External Affairs. Prior to her new post, Mercado was an undersecretary at the Presidential Management Staff.
Mercado would be assisted by five assistant secretaries in charge of print, radio, television, external affairs, and media accreditation and relations.
Also appointed were Franz Gerald Imperial and Gerald Baria, who will be undersecretaries for Broadcast Production and Content Production, respectively.
Patricia Anne Magistrado was appointed undersecretary for external affairs.
The recent appointments filled all five undersecretary posts of the “revamped” PCO. The reorganization of the PCO, through Executive Order No. 16, trimmed the number of undersecretaries from seven to five.
However, Emerald Ridao retained his post as undersecretary for Digital Media Services. Also retained to her position is Cherbett Karen Maralit as undersecretary for Operations, Administration and Finance, based on the PCO website.
Also appointed directors were Ma. Rhona Ysabel Daoang (traditional media); Marvin Antonio (digital media); and Lois Erika Mendoza (content production).
All the new appointees took their oath before President Marcos on Thursday.
With the reorganization, the positions of undersecretaries for media accreditation and relations; print media services and related GOCCs; special concerns; broadcast media services and related GOCCs and attached agencies; and operations, plans, and policies were effectively dissolved.
The EO stated that there would be 14 assistant secretaries, one of them “directly reporting” to PCO Secretary Atty. Cheloy Garafil, who was sworn into office by PBBM last January 10, 2023.
One of the previous undersecretaries before the reorganizations was reportedly asked to resign or be fired over 2 complaints of ‘sexual harassment’ while the post of another undersecretary was dissolved for being closely linked with former Executive Secretary Atty. Vic Rodriguez.
Based on the EO, the restructured PCO would work closely with Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications Paul Soriano, for their communications strategy or “matters relating to communications and information dissemination.”