Newly-appointed Presidential Communications Office ad interim Secretary Jay Ruiz took his oath on Monday, assuring a smooth transition and emphasizing the importance of delivering accurate and accessible government information to the public during his tenure.
Lawyer Claire Castro also took her oath as PCO Undersecretary. She will serve as the “Palace press officer,” presiding over Malacañang press briefings, Ruiz said.
Ruiz vowed to combat misinformation, saying the PCO will focus on delivering “clear, precise, informative, and educational” content to help Filipinos make informed decisions.
“Fake news and lies harm us. There are many false narratives out there that are not based on facts,” Ruiz said. “We must focus on the truth. Misinformation has no place in this administration.”
He also called on bloggers and digital content creators to uphold responsible reporting, underscoring their role in spreading truthful and factual information.
Ruiz likewise acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Cesar Chavez, expressing gratitude for his guidance in understanding the roles and functions of each PCO office.
“The Marcos administration aims to ensure that government messages and programs reach ordinary Filipinos,” Ruiz said. “We want the people to know and feel that the government is working for them.”
Among his priorities, Ruiz highlighted the need to inform the public about key government initiatives, such as education programs, free housing for low-income families, and healthcare assistance.
“The President’s directive is clear—government information should be accessible to the people, especially programs that directly benefit them, such as free scholarships and medical aid,” he said. “People need to know where to go and how to access these services.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “New PCO chief Jay Ruiz vows transparency, public information access.”