Andanar not on way out – Go
President Rodrigo Duterte’s top aide has denied reports that Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar was on his way out, saying the Chief Executive is satisfied with the latter’s performance.
Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go issued the statement after reports circulated that broadcaster Jay Sonza was being eyed as the new head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
“Si Jay Sonza ay isang kaibigan rin namin ng Pangulo at taga-Davao del Sur naman magaling po ano, pero wala pong katotohanan na tungkol sa balitang yan (Jay Sonza is also my friend and of the President’s and he’s from Davao del Sur, but there’s no truth to that news),” Go said in an interview with dzRH radio, amid rumors that Andanar might be on the way out.
“Sa ngayon naman po ay satisfied naman po ang ating Pangulo sa trabaho ni Secretary Andanar at sa mga improvement po na ginagawa niya sa PCOO, sa ating TV, at sa kanilang radio (The President is satisfied with the work of Secretary Andanar, on the improvements he has done for PCOO, its TV and radio programs),” he added.
Reports said the President was eyeing Sonza to replace Andanar as PCOO head.
Sonza, a former television host, allegedly has the support of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio.
The President’s daughter however said she was not aware that Sonza was after the PCOO position.
“I’m not sure if I have ever met him, I cannot remember any meeting whether casual or official. But I know he is very close to PRD (President Duterte),” the mayor said.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. FILE PHOTO
Sought for reaction, Andanar said it is up to the President to decide whether or not he would stay in his post.
“We all serve at the pleasure of the President,” he told reporters in a text message.
Andanar, a former television news anchor, was appointed as head of the PCOO in June 2016.
He has been credited for implementing reforms to modernize the government’s information network, including state-owned People’s Television Network channel 4 and the Philippine Information Agency.
The PCOO has been rocked with several controversies, including alleged procurement irregularities during a regional summit in Manila, and allegations of incompetence in information dissemination. CATHERINE S. VALENTE
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