PCOO still operational: Panelo

FILE: Secretary Salvador Panelo’s Press Briefing (Photo screengrabbed from PCOO)

MANILA — The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will remain operational until the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) is revived, Malacañang said Friday.

“I think until such time as the OPS is created, the PCOO, with him (Secretary Martin Andanar) at the helm, is still operational as an entity,” newly-designated Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Last Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte said he is considering Panelo to be the new press secretary once the PCOO is reverted to the OPS.

Panelo, however, said the OPS has yet to be revived through an executive order.

Duterte said he first offered the post to Panelo’s predecessor, Harry Roque, who remains undecided whether he will continue working for the government or run for senator in next year’s midterm elections.

Panelo currently serves a “dual function,” acting as chief presidential legal counsel and Duterte’s spokesperson.

He said he would maintain the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson but “might introduce some changes.”

“For instance, I feel like before I make a news briefing, I want to talk to heads of the departments and offices so that I will know exactly what they want to share to the public, any concern or issue that is vital,” Panelo said.

He could not say whether Roque has vacated his post.

“I really don’t know. I have no personal knowledge on that. When I was asking him sometime, he really wants to be a senator. That’s what I know,” he said.

Panelo said only the President could decide on Roque’s fate and give him another position if he decides not to run for senator.

Roque, who filed a leave last Monday, is currently in China for a personal engagement. He deferred giving comments until he returns from his trip on Monday (October 15).

Duterte said Andanar may remain as “consultant” but did not clarify which agency he would work for.

During the previous administration, the OPS was split into the PCOO and the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO). The latter’s functions have already been transferred to the PCOO.