Palace says communications machinery now 'complete'

There is now a powerful government unit that will oversee even the presidential spokesperson and the government's public information arm. Malacañang on Saturday dropped some hints about the Aquino administration’s newly "completed" communications machinery that will disseminate its messages to and get feedback from the public. “Sabi ni Pangulo (The President said) he wants an organization that will deliver messages effectively and provide feedback on what the government is doing," Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio.
He said the group has more or less been completed according to President Aquino's orders to “have a communications group one way or the other." Refusing to give details, Lacierda said he will make an announcement on Monday. Still, he indicated that broadcast journalist Ricky Carandang, who has been rumored to be a leading part of the team, will be on equal footing with him in the Communications Group. Carandang resigned from ABS-CBN News Channel last Friday. (See: TV news anchor Carandang quits amid rumors of Palace appointment) Asked if he and Carandang will be on the same level, he said, “Siguro yan masasabi ko (Yes I could say that)." But he quickly added, “Pag-usapan natin sa Monday, magandang tanong yan (Let’s talk about it on Monday. It’s a good question)." He declined to confirm or deny reports that Herminio “Sonny" Coloma, who served under the administration of Aquino’s late mother President Corazon Aquino, will be part of the Communications Group. Earlier reports indicated that Coloma will head media operations while Carandang will head the messaging component. Lacierda also said his office, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, will now be part of the Communications Group instead of being directly under the President. “I will not mention the others, but in my case the (office of the) presidential spokesperson will be part of the Communications Group," he said. The Communications Group will also now supervise the Philippine Information Agency, he said, adding that the other officials in the Communications Group enjoy President Aquino’s trust and confidence. “These people have the trust and confidence of the president. Their competence and integrity walang kaduda-duda (Their competence and integrity is also beyond any doubt)," he said. Details on Monday Lacierda, who earlier attended a seminar on handling the media, deflected questions that tried to delve into details on the new communications group, saying other details are still being worked out. He said these “concerns and details" to be announced Monday include the communication machinery’s structure, as well as who will represent it during budget hearings in Congress. Other concerns about the group include the fates of Radio-TV Malacañang, which documents the President’s activities; and the government-run television agency, the National Broadcasting Network. “Mas may detail pa kaming ilalabas diyan (We’ll come up with more details by Monday). It’s not that simple. We’ll announce everything by Monday," he said. — LBG/JV, GMANews.TV