Ruiz still PCO chief

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang neither confirmed nor denied reports that President Marcos had found a replacement for Presidential Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz.

There have been talks that Ruiz, named chief of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) last February, would be tasked to lead the Presidential Action Center.

On Tuesday, the Bilyonaryo News Channel reported that Dave Gomez, a corporate communications executive and a former reporter for The STAR, has accepted his appointment as PCO secretary.

Asked in a press briefing yesterday if the PCO has a new secretary, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro replied: “To my knowledge, there is none. Jay Ruiz remains the acting secretary. If ever there is a new one... I cannot confirm anything because no such update has reached me.”

In an interview late last month, Ruiz said he serves at the pleasure of the President.

Ruiz, a former ABS-CBN reporter, is the fourth presidential communications secretary under President Marcos.

He was preceded by lawyer and vlogger Trixie Angeles, former journalist and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chief Cheloy Garafil and radio broadcaster and former transportation undersecretary for railways Cesar Chavez.