Dong vows to survive 'snake pit'

From newsman to newsmaker.

Lawyer Ricardo "Dong" Puno took his oath as press secretary yesterday with a resolve not only to improve President Estrada's image but also to survive the "snake pit" that is Malacañang.

The former ABS-CBN television news executive and STAR columnist succeeds Rodolfo Reyes, now chief of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei.

Puno also assumes the role of presidential spokesman, replacing Fernando Barican, who was sworn in yesterday as a member of the Development Bank of the Philippines' board of directors.

"(Reyes) told me to watch my back and watch my language. And that's exactly what I'm trying to do, except now I can't look behind my back," Puno told reporters after President Estrada swore him into office. Reyes gave the dire warning to Puno days ago.

This is the second time Puno has taken over the helm from Reyes. In 1994, he replaced Reyes as head of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.'s news and current affairs department.

Because of conflict of interest, Puno will leave his daily news show and "Dong Puno Live" evening talk show on ABS-CBN and cease to write his column in The STAR.

Despite Reyes' warning, Puno said: "I'm coming in with an open mind and no preconceived notions about the office and Malacañang. At the moment, what I'm doing is getting briefed, listening and trying to learn what the office is about."

Former Presidential Chief of Staff Aprodicio Laquian once described the Palace as a "snake pit."

He later left the Palace in disgrace last month after making jokes about President Estrada's nocturnal habits.

Puno spent the day doing rounds at the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) at Malacañang and visiting the press office. He said he would try to be always accessible to the media.

For now, he said, none of the OPS staff should be worried about losing their jobs. He will still find out if changes are needed.

"There are a lot of people working very hard. Perhaps this is the aspect of the press office that has not been given too much publicity," he said.

Among Puno's first priorities is to improve Mr. Estrada's ratings. But he was quick to say that his office would not churn out propaganda.

"Popularity ratings is a situation that does not involve myself or the OPS. Many, many people and offices will have to be involved in this effort," he said.

Puno said his strategy essentially means "communicating to the people. Making known the successes the administration has achieved and there are quite a number of these."

He said he would not recommend that Mr. Estrada make some changes in his management style which, critics have said, were partly responsible for his tumbling ratings.

"The President was elected by 40 percent of the people and he has not made secret his own particular style. Who am I to change that style?" Puno asked.

Other officials sworn in yesterday were former Armed Forces chief Joselin Nazareno as chief of mission and ambassador to Pakistan, Renato Ampil as acting commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, Presidential Assistant for Children's Affairs Jamby Madrigal, former Negros Oriental Rep. Margarito Teves as consultant to the Economic Coordinating Council, former Education Secretary Ricardo Gloria as member of the board of regents of Mindanao State University, and former Pasig Rep. Rufino Javier as commissioner of the Commission on Elections.