Newly appointed Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez took his oath yesterday even as a senator and several civil society groups opposed his appointment because of his previous ties with a multinational tobacco firm.
“I am truly humbled and honored to be appointed head of the Presidential Communications Office,” Gomez, the fourth PCO chief since 2022, said in his message.
“I am grateful to the President for the trust and confidence, and I intend to repay that trust with my 100% commitment and focus on this role.”
Gomez, a former journalist and communications executive, takes over the post from outgoing Secretary Jay Ruiz, whom he thanked for his service and for the warm reception from the PCO team.
Senator Pia Cayetano and civil society organizations (CSO) expressed concerns over the selection of former print journalist and public relations veteran Dave Gomez as the next chief of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) due to his ties with the tobacco industry.
According to a statement signed by 10 CSOs, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s decision to appoint Gomez “creates a serious conflict of interest that endangers public trust, transparency, and most of all jeopardizes the health of the Filipino people.”
Gomez was reporter for a major broadsheet before he transitioned to the public relations and corporate communications industries, where he held top executive positions, most notably as Director of Global Communications for the Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation. He was also briefly head of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
“Placing someone who spent years advancing the interests of this harmful industry at the helm of government messaging undermines the very principles of public service,” the groups said of Gomez’s appointment.
“It risks turning the government’s voice into a vehicle for industry influence, weakening hard-won gains in tobacco control and public health,” they added.
Cayetano, a public health advocate, echoed this position, according to a news report aired over GMA’s Super Radyo DZBB. She conveyed doubts that Gomez would be able to defend public interests when it comes to health-related issues, particularly involving the tobacco industry.
In view of these concerns, the CSOs urged the Commission on Appointments to reject Gomez’s appointment when legislative sessions for the 20th Congress open later this month.
“Confirming this appointment is an endorsement of placing an architect of addiction in charge of shaping national discourse. Such a move gravely undermines the principle that public office is a public trust and opens the door for other harmful industries to gain influence in government,” they said.
The groups include the Medical Action Group, Child Rights Network, Psoriasis Philippines, Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA), HPA – Youth Network, Social Watch Philippines, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, Youth for Mental Health Coalition, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation Inc., and Health Justice Philippines.
In his statement, Gomez called for a renewed emphasis on open communication between the government and the public.
He said the PCO under his leadership will be guided by what he described as the “3Ps Minus One” framework: Programs, Policies, minus Politics. With Charles Dantes
“My role as PCO Secretary will be to communicate and socialize the programs and policies of the President minus the politics,” Gomez said.
“A healthy democracy depends on an informed public. That’s why we must continue to promote government transparency, safeguard press freedom, and defend every citizen’s right to free speech. Access to information is not a privilege, it’s a cornerstone of accountability and public trust.”
Gomez also highlighted plans to expand the administration’s digital presence, saying the PCO will play a leading role in advancing digital transformation across its platforms. With Charles Dantes
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Cayetano, CSOs oppose Dave Gomez appointment at PCO”
