Ex-journalist Dave Gomez named new PCO chief

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former journalist Dave Gomez as Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, Malacañang said Thursday.

Gomez "brings decades of experience in journalism, government, and corporate communications, having served as senior reporter, director-general of the Philippine Information Agency, and communications director at PMFTC (Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Company)," Castro said. 

The new PCO chief "will ensure clear and truthful government messaging for every Filipino," she added. 

Gomez is the Marcos Jr. administration's fifth PCO chief, after Jay Ruiz, Cesar Chavez, Cheloy Garafil, and Trixie Angeles.

Ruiz has been appointed member of the Board of Directors of the Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO), Castro said.

Ruiz said "it has been an honor to lead the PCO in advancing transparency, timely information, and responsible public communication." 

"My almost five months as PCO Secretary have been a profound learning experience. I witnessed firsthand the nobility of public service, where every day presents an opportunity to serve the Filipino people and contribute directly to nation-building," he said in a statement.