Noynoy eyes broadcaster as part of media group

President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Monday said he is eyeing the possible inclusion of broadcast journalist Ricky Carandang on his communications team. Aquino said this as he denied rumors that Carandang, an anchor and program host at ABS-CBN News Channel, would be his press secretary. He said he just wants the broadcaster to be part of his media group. "Not as press secretary, but [he] will help us in the media group," Aquino said at a press briefing inside his Times Street home in Quezon City. "We really want to engage the citizenry and part of that is the communications strategy." Aquino said he would talk with Carandang first before divulging to the media the specific job he wants for him. "It would be unfair for [Carandang] to read about it instead of hearing from me what I would want of him," the president-elect said in a separate text message to the media. Reached for comment, Carandang said it was premature to discuss the matter since he has yet to talk with Aquino about it. "I haven't spoken to the president-elect yet so it would be hard to comment at this time," he said in a text message to GMANews.TV. Aquino, who will officially sit as president on June 30, has so far confirmed only four prospective members of his official family: Dinky Soliman as Social Welfare secretary, Teresita Deles as presidential adviser on the peace process, Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa Jr. as executive secretary, and Edwin Lacierda as presidential spokesman. Aquino earlier said he will disclose the members of his Cabinet before June 30. - Jam Sisante/KBK, GMANews.TV