MANILA, Philippines – For the fifth time in just three years in office, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has picked a new communications secretary.
Undersecretary Claire Castro announced Thursday, July 10, that former journalist and veteran public relations practitioner Dave Gomez as the new chief of the Presidential Communications Office.
Gomez began his career as a reporter for the Philippine Star. He later worked for Leo Burnett, then was appointed as director-general of the Philippine Information Agency.
Gomez worked at Philip Morris International Philippines since 2001, according to his LinkedIn profile. He was last director communications for the company.
According to his LinkedIn page, Gomez has “over 30 years of experience in the field of journalism, public relations, advertising and public affairs with a solid track record in the working press, mass media advocacy, and corporate communications.”
Gomez is the latest in an unusually long list of communications chiefs under the Marcos administration. Jay Ruiz, who was just re-appointed acting Presidential Communications Office chief after he was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments, held the post for just over four months.
Ruiz has been appointed as a member of the board of directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), which is chaired by Marcos’ second PCO chief, Cheloy Garafil.
Ruiz’s term was at least longer than Marcos’ very first communications head, vlogger Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who left in the first three months of the Marcos administration.
Cesar Chavez was the third PCO chief who held the post for just over six months.
In a statement, Ruiz thanked Marcos, citing “his continued trust and confidence in appointing me to a new role in his administration, following the privilege of serving as Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office.”
“It has been an honor to lead the PCO in advancing transparency, timely information, and responsible public communication,” he added. – Rappler.com
