COMMUNICATIONS Secretary Martin Andanar remains as the head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Malacañang said on Saturday, October 13.
Newly-appointed Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Andanar's role as PCOO chief would only end, once the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) is revived.
"I think until such time as the OPS is created the PCOO with him at the helm is still operational as an entity," Panelo said in a statement.
Duterte has a plan of re-establishing the OPS, which was abolished during the time of his predecessor, former president Benigno Aquino III.
The President was also eyeing Panelo as the next Press Secretary.
In 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order (EO) 4, reorganizing the OPS into the PCOO and the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO).
Duterte in 2016 abolished PCDSPO and transferred its functions to the PCOO, which was supposed to be renamed the Presidential Communications Office.
On October 6, Andanar expressed willingness to sacrifice his post for the revival of the OPS and await his next position in the Duterte government.
"I think I've already done what I could and I've already achieved my objectives for the government media," the Communications chief said.
"Kung saan ako gustong ilagay ni Presidente, syempre kung alam ko naman, kung pakiramdam ko eh kaya ko naman ang susunod na assignment ko, gagawin ko. Wala namang problema, eh. Karangalan ang magsilbi sa bayan, magsilbi kay Pangulong Duterte," he added.
(Wherever the President places me, of course, if I think and I feel I am qualified for my next assignment, I will do it. There's no problem with that. It's a pleasure to serve the country and President Duterte.)
On Friday, October 12, Duterte guaranteed that Andanar would stay in the government.
The President, however, has yet to announce Andanar's new designation.
"Martin Andanar should be around. Siya, palit-palit sila pero (He would assume next post but) there must only be one Press Secretary," Duterte said. (VoxPop Philippines)
