PCO execs submit courtesy resignations but Claire Castro to stay -Lino Cayetano

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Officials of the Presidential Communications Office have tendered their courtesy resignations, but Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro is sure to keep her post, according to the new PCO chief, Sec. Lino Cayetano.

Cayetano called Castro "a treasure" and said he admired the undersecretary's "combative" style in protecting the administration's programs.

"I do not want to say that we are a package deal but Usec. Claire is a treasure in this government; I haven’t seen someone who can articulate so well what this government is doing," Cayetano told reporters, in a mix of Filipino and English.

"I think we’ll work closely together so we can help translate a lot of the issues, a lot of the programs, a lot of the policies of the government... Usec. Claire is a treasure, and I am excited to continue working with her,” he added.

Cayetano has replaced former PCO Secretary Dave Gomez, who missed getting confirmed by the bicameral Commission on Appointments.

Castro has been a staple in the Palace, responding to the administration’s critics and controversies. She was appointed to the post when former Secretary Jay Ruiz was named PCO chief and remained in her post when Gomez replaced Ruiz.

Asked if Cayetano agreed with Castro’s combative side, Cayetano said “yes”.

“In terms of being combative, of protecting what this administration is doing, to be able to explain to the Filipino people why we are doing certain things, I admire Usec. Claire when it comes to that,” Cayetano said.

However, Cayetano stressed that he also wanted to relay more information about the President’s programs and projects to help people.

Cayetano said he hoped that the media was also more critical on topics such as healthcare so that it could be discussed more.

“Please help us na mahimay yung mga storya at yung mga kwento na tingin namin na mahalaga sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Cayetano said.

(Please help us to break down the stories and narratives that we think are important for the Filipino nation.) —NB, GMA News