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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | August 9, 2010; 15 years ago (2010-08-09)[1][2] |
| Headquarters | 2nd Flr. New Executive Bldg.,Malacañang Compound,Manila |
| Employees | 184 (2024)[3] |
| Annual budget | ₱1.69 billion (2020)[4] |
| Agency executives |
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| Website | pco |
ThePresidential Communications Office (PCO), formerly known as thePresidential Communications Group (PCG), is the lead communications arm of theOffice of the President of the Philippines that is tasked with communicating the administration's messages and the executive branch of government.[5] The office is headed by thePresidential Communications Secretary.
The PCO, together with thePresidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, was previously under the Presidential Communications Group.[6]
The PCO is responsible for conveying the president's messages and the administration's policies to the public. Its vision is to be the leading source of government information, aiming to create an informed and empowered citizenry. To achieve this, the PCO works closely with key stakeholders, ensuring the effective dissemination of information through various media platforms. It plays a vital role in developing and managing the president's strategic communications, ensuring a unified message from the government.[7]
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The Presidential Spokesperson spoke on behalf of the President about matters of public interest. Considering the restricted level of access that the media has to the Chief Executive, the spokesperson was expected to be the primary source of presidential directives in the absence of the President of the Philippines.
The presidential spokesperson was not subject to confirmation by theCommission on Appointments, and did not have any specific item or template in government.
The position was last occupied by the secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office,Martin Andanar, in an acting capacity due to the resignation ofHarry Roque, while the Assistant to the presidential spokesperson was Kris Roman of theDuterte administration. During the administration of PresidentBongbong Marcos, the office was abolished and all its personnel, equipment and functions were transferred to the office of the press secretary then headed byTrixie Cruz-Angeles.[8]
In December 2022,Daphne Oseña-Paez was appointed as thePresidential Communications Office Press Briefer, a position created only for briefings for the Malacañang Press Corps in the New Executive Building.[9] All press conferences that includes PresidentBongbong Marcos is personally moderated by the PCO Secretary.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is in charge of disseminating the government's message to private media entities. It exercises supervision and control over state-owned media entities to disseminate the official messages properly and effectively in accordance with the communications plan. It is responsible for the accreditation and authentication of the credentials of foreign media correspondents in line with its primary task to cultivate relations and assist private media entities. It is formerly known as the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) from April 28, 1986, to August 9, 2010, and June 30 to December 29, 2022, from thepresidencies of Corazon Aquino to thefirst two months of her son Benigno Aquino III and thefirst six months of Bongbong Marcos, and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) from August 9, 2010, to June 30, 2022, during the rest of the administration of Benigno Aquino III andwhole of Rodrigo Duterte's presidency.[1]
The PCO Secretary holds a cabinet rank. He/she is assisted by an undersecretary for administration, finance and procurement; an undersecretary for operations, plans, and policies; an undersecretary for legal affairs; an undersecretary for media accreditation and relations; one undersecretary each for digital media, print media, and broadcast media services; an undersecretary for special concerns; an assistant secretary; and an electronic data processing division chief.[8][10]
The PCO is composed of the following units and agencies:
Pursuant to Section 3 of the Executive Order No. 2, s. 2022, the Office of the Press Secretary shall perform the following functions:
The Office of the Press Secretary shall be organized as follows pursuant to Section 2 of the Executive Order No. 2, s. 2022:
(a) Office of the Secretary. The Office of the Secretary shall have an Assistant Secretary with support staff not more than twenty (20) personnel to be designated by the Press Secretary and approved by the Executive Secretary in the exigency of the service and in accordance with the civil service law and rules.
(b) Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. In addition of the foregoing, there shall be Undersecretaries for the following areas. Each of which shall have Assistant Secretaries and Support Staff:
(I) Operations, Plans and Policies
(II) Administration, Finance and Procurement
(III) Legal Affairs
(IV) Media Accreditation and Relations
(V) Digital Media Services
(VI) Print Media Services and related Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC)'s and attached agencies
(VII) Broadcast Media Services and related Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC)'s and attached agencies; and
(VIII) Special Concerns
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| Secretary | Palace Press Officer |
| Dave Gomez | Claire Castro |
PCO Integrated State Media
Other attached agencies
With the reorganization of the PCOO under President Bongbong Marcos, most units previously under the agency were transferred to the Presidential Communications Office.[8]
The Presidential News Desk (PND) functions as thenewsroom ofMalacañang Palace. It gathers and disseminates information, such aspress andphotograph releases, and official statements from the Palace, on a daily basis.
The PND operates from Sundays to Saturdays, 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM. It is headed by a chiefeditor and is composed of amanaging editor,deskmen, andreporters. Other units, which support the PND are Electronic Data Processing, Transcription and Monitoring, and Photographs.
Francisco Tatad conceived the PND. He was the Press Secretary toPresidentFerdinand Marcos. It was then called the Central Desk and was located in the Mabini Building. During theadministration of PresidentCorazon C. Aquino, Press Secretary Benigno Teodoro relegated the Central Desk, which became the News and Reportorial Section, as a section of the Presidential Press Staff. Under theRamos administration, Press Secretary Rodolfo Reyes strengthened presidential coverage and set up the PND.
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), established byExecutive Order No. 100,[12] is the main development communication arm of the government.
The PIA directly serves the Presidency and the executive branch of the national, regional and provincial levels through its 16 regional offices and 71 provincial information centers. Its core services include: information gathering/research, production and dissemination, and institutional development and capacity-building focusing on alliance-building, networking, communication-related training, consultancy and technical assistance. The PIA is also the advertising arm of the government.
It is headed by a director general with a rank of undersecretary and four deputy director generals, four assistant director generals, staff directors in the central office, regional directors in the regional offices, and more than 500 permanent and contractual employees. It works closely with other government agencies, in particular theNational Printing Office in the production of information materials.
Its tagline is "Empowering Communities". The PIA works with community stakeholders, including local government units, line agencies, private entities, schools, colleges and universities, civil society organizations, and other groups in ensuring proper dissemination of information at the grassroots level. The agency advocates responsible sharing of information and responsible use of social media. Its current management and personnel work with the mantra and belief that "a well-informed Filipino is an empowered Filipino".
Currently, the PIA is under the direct supervision of theOffice of the President and absorbed offices previously under the PCOO, namely the Bureau of Communications Services, theFreedom of Information – Project Management Office, and the Good Governance Office.[8]
The Bureau of Communications Services was an attached agency of the PCOO that is tasked to provide materials and services related to various functions of the Presidency, PCOO and the general public. It also ownsBalita Central, a tabloid newspaper which is published bi-monthly through its official website and at selectedLRT Line 2 stations. It also produces information materials for state events such as the anniversary of thePeople Power Revolution,Araw ng Kalayaan celebrations, and others.
It is currently absorbed by the Philippine Information Agency as ordered by Bongbong Marcos's Executive Order No. 2 s. 2022.[8]
Created by President Corazon C. Aquino under Executive Order No. 297 on July 25, 1987,[13] the Presidential Broadcast Staff – Radio Television Malacañang is tasked to provide the necessary media services, video and audio, to the incumbent president, to document all official engagements, and to make available to the public accurate and relevant information on the activities, programs and pronouncements of the national leadership.
The agency is involved in television coverage and documentation, news and public affairs syndication of all the activities of the President, either live or delayed telecast through government or private collaborating networks.
Since February 13, 2023, the agency is under the control and supervision of the PCO in accordance with Bongbong Marcos' Executive Order No. 16 s. 2023. The agency was under thePresidential Management Staff.[8]
There are two government-run television networks, namely thePeople's Television Network (PTV-4), and theIntercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13). ThePresidential Broadcast Service-Bureau of Broadcast Services (PBS-BBS) constitutes the government radio network. PCO still holds 20% minority stake in theRadio Philippines Network (RPN-9).
IBC-13 and RPN-9 were sequestered by thePresidential Commission on Good Government after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship. However, plans are being made toprivatize IBC-13 and RPN-9 within two years to raise money. According to the 2009 report of thePresidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), IBC-13 is valued at PHP 3.074 billion while RPN-9 is valued at PHP 1.3 billion.[14][15]
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TheNational Printing Office (NPO) was established by Executive Order No. 285 on July 25, 1987.[16] Executive Order No. 285 abolished the General Services Administration and transferred its functions to other agencies. Its Government Printing Offices were merged with the printing units of the PIA. The NPO is mandated by Executive Order No. 285 to printforms, officialballots, public documents, and public information materials.[17]
The News and Information Bureau's main aim is to provide services relating to the development and formulation of a domestic and foreign information program for the Government in general, and the Presidency in particular, including the development of strategies for the dissemination of information on specific government programs. It is composed of the following divisions:
The OP Web Development Office, commonly referred to as the President's New Media Team, is responsible for the establishment and management of the President's Official Website and Official Presence on social networking channels such asFacebook,Twitter, andYouTube. It is also partly responsible for the feedback mechanism of the President wherein it receives the comments, concerns and suggestions through the Contact Us section of the President's website. It is also responsible for the President's Social Media engagement and in maximizing the use of new technologies to further the President's agenda, policies and programs.
The Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) ensures that all aspects of communications are covered, to ensure that the administration's message has been delivered successfully. This includes market research and polling. It devises the communications strategy to promote the President's agenda throughout all media, and among the many people with whom the administration interacts. This can include, but is not limited to, the State of the Nation address, televised press conferences, statements to the press, and radio addresses. This office also works closely with cabinet-level departments and other executive agencies, in order to create a coherent strategy through which the president's message can be disseminated.[1]
During the administration of former presidentBenigno Aquino III, the PCDSPO head held a cabinet rank. The head was supported by a deputy of undersecretary rank, a chief of staff, an assistant secretary for messaging, and an electronic data processing division chief.[10] AfterRodrigo Duterte became the President in 2016, the PCDSPO was merged with the PCOO, thus effectively abolishing the PCDSPO. The PCOO was renamed as the Presidential Communications Office before it was reverted to Presidential Communications Operations Office.[18]
Prior to June 30, 2016, the PCDSPO was composed of the following units and agencies, all of which were under the PCOO:
During the Duterte administration, the PCOO has been criticized for various errors and lapses committed by the office,[20] including what one lawmaker called a "revisionist attempt to whitewash the dark years of martial law".[21] TheSecretary of the PCOO assured Congress that it will not repeat the office's mistakes.[21]
In March 2018, the News and Information Bureau released a transcript to reporters of an interview erroneously attributed to the President of the Philippines which was in fact an interview with an impersonator.[22]
In their 2020 annual report, theCommission on Audit flagged the PCOO for the mass hiring of employees under contract service worth PH₱70.6 million. Speculation cited that they're hiring them as "online trolls" to attack critics of the government, in which the state media agency denied the claim.[23]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
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