Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye downplayed yesterday his new designation by Malacañang as head of the Presidential Communications Group that would be formed to improve information dissemination to the public, especially during extraordinary times.
Bunye said the new position would not necessarily give him extra powers.
"Hindi naman po siguro media czar, siguro media pang-asar," he joked, referring to a cartoon character who is known for annoying people.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Bunye would be the overall head of the communication activities of the Palace after the Office of the Communications Director headed by Silvestre Afable, was dissolved. Afable resigned to concentrate on being government negotiator in the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Bunye himself clarified that OCD staff would go back to their mother unit – the Office of the Press Secretary.
Bunye said he would still wait for the executive order to be signed by President Arroyo to determine his functions.
Ermita said Malacañang had to improve its communications effort so the public would be better informed of its stance on different issues.
Ermita cited the issues of the rallies, the expanded value-added tax law, Executive Order No. 464 barring government and armed officials from attending legislative hearings without prior consent from the President, the Charter change and the Consultative Commission, rising oil prices and the economy as a whole as some of the issues that need to be explained better to the people.
"We need to be able to communicate with the people properly and effectively," Ermita said.
Bunye said he would chair a committee that would discuss the issues that need to be tackled with the media and the public.
Bunye said he did not expect 100-percent approval and support especially from critics but added that he would try his best.
He also clarified that Malacañang was not being combative, only that the attacks against the administration were no longer mere criticisms but deliberate moves to destroy the government.
"These are not ordinary circumstances. And we believe that our statements are the appropriate response for the type of situation (that we have). It is not our intention to fight with all those who have differences with the President," Bunye said.
As a matter of fact, Bunye said, the President still wants principled reconciliation and "we also adopt the same attitude of the President."