New PCO chief Dave Gomez on criticisms: I am not part of tobacco industry anymore
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New PCO chief Dave Gomez on criticisms: I am not part of tobacco industry anymore
Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez talks to media after his oath-taking on July 11, 2025. Revoli Cortez, PPA pool
Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez talks to media after his oath-taking on July 11, 2025. Revoli Cortez, PPA poolMANILA — Former journalist and corporate communications executive Dave Gomez says he “respects the opinion” of those criticizing his appointment as secretary of the Presidential Communications Office.
MANILA — Former journalist and corporate communications executive Dave Gomez says he “respects the opinion” of those criticizing his appointment as secretary of the Presidential Communications Office.
Several health and rights groups and Sen. Pia Cayetano earlier criticized Gomez’s appointment being a former tobacco industry executive as a communications director at Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Company (PMFTC).
Several health and rights groups and Sen. Pia Cayetano earlier criticized Gomez’s appointment being a former tobacco industry executive as a communications director at Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Company (PMFTC).
Cayetano said the appointment "sends the wrong message, especially to our youth, who remain the most vulnerable to the harmful influence of tobacco and vape products."
Cayetano said the appointment "sends the wrong message, especially to our youth, who remain the most vulnerable to the harmful influence of tobacco and vape products."
While Gomez initially said he cannot comment on the matter as he has not seen the criticisms, he maintained that he is no longer part of the tobacco industry.
While Gomez initially said he cannot comment on the matter as he has not seen the criticisms, he maintained that he is no longer part of the tobacco industry.
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“I am not part of the tobacco industry anymore, I retired already. I'm a private citizen when I joined the government,” he told Palace reporters in an ambush interview following his oath-taking Friday, July 11.
“I am not part of the tobacco industry anymore, I retired already. I'm a private citizen when I joined the government,” he told Palace reporters in an ambush interview following his oath-taking Friday, July 11.
“If that's their opinion, I will respect that. Maybe in the right forum, the proper forum, I will respond to that. But again, this is not about me, this is about the president and how we socialize his programs and policies. This is not about politics, this is not about personalities. That is my role here,” he added.
“If that's their opinion, I will respect that. Maybe in the right forum, the proper forum, I will respond to that. But again, this is not about me, this is about the president and how we socialize his programs and policies. This is not about politics, this is not about personalities. That is my role here,” he added.
When asked if he can provide an assurance that his tobacco industry links will not influence government policies, Gomez said his oath of office is his bible.
When asked if he can provide an assurance that his tobacco industry links will not influence government policies, Gomez said his oath of office is his bible.
“Hindi na siguro kailangang ibigay ‘yung assurance, basahin na lang nila ‘yung oath of office ko. Nangako ako doon eh at maninindigan ako sa pangako kong ‘yun — to faithfully serve our president,” he stated.
“Hindi na siguro kailangang ibigay ‘yung assurance, basahin na lang nila ‘yung oath of office ko. Nangako ako doon eh at maninindigan ako sa pangako kong ‘yun — to faithfully serve our president,” he stated.
He was joined by his immediate family when he was sworn in by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin Friday, July 11.
He was joined by his immediate family when he was sworn in by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin Friday, July 11.
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‘POLICIES MINUS POLITICS’
In his address to the media, Gomez said he is ‘humbled and honored’ with the appointment.
In his address to the media, Gomez said he is ‘humbled and honored’ with the appointment.
“I am grateful to the President for the trust and confidence, and I intend to repay that trust with my 100% commitment and focus on this role,” he stated.
“I am grateful to the President for the trust and confidence, and I intend to repay that trust with my 100% commitment and focus on this role,” he stated.
The new PCO chief vowed to continue promoting “government transparency, safeguard press freedom, and defend every citizen's right to free speech”.
The new PCO chief vowed to continue promoting “government transparency, safeguard press freedom, and defend every citizen's right to free speech”.
This as he recognized that “a healthy democracy depends on an informed public.”
This as he recognized that “a healthy democracy depends on an informed public.”
“Access to information is not a privilege - it's a cornerstone of accountability and public trust,” he noted.
“Access to information is not a privilege - it's a cornerstone of accountability and public trust,” he noted.
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Gomez also emphasized that he will be focusing on communicating Marcos Jr.’s policies instead of politics.
Gomez also emphasized that he will be focusing on communicating Marcos Jr.’s policies instead of politics.
“My role as PCO Secretary will be to communicate and socialize the programs and policies of the President minus the politics. This is what I call my 3Ps Minus One. Programs, Policies minus Politics”, he added.
“My role as PCO Secretary will be to communicate and socialize the programs and policies of the President minus the politics. This is what I call my 3Ps Minus One. Programs, Policies minus Politics”, he added.
The new Palace officer also wants to bolster the office’s digital transformation in a bid to contribute to the administration’s digital efforts.
The new Palace officer also wants to bolster the office’s digital transformation in a bid to contribute to the administration’s digital efforts.
“I see the PCO as taking an active role in expanding the digital footprint of the Administration and we intend to do this by advancing digital transformation within the PCO,” Gomez noted.
“I see the PCO as taking an active role in expanding the digital footprint of the Administration and we intend to do this by advancing digital transformation within the PCO,” Gomez noted.
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