Outgoing Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar turned over pertinent agency documents to incoming PCOO Secretary lawyer Rose Beatrix 'Trixie' Cruz-Angeles on Wednesday, June 29.
During the PCOO new administration continuity handover ceremony, Andanar said that he is confident that Angeles will sustain game-changing reforms, especially efforts to further enhance government media effectiveness.
He reiterated his hopes that the programs and projects he has spearheaded shall be continued, such as the upgrade of facilities of public media assets, the realization of the goals for the Government Communications Academy, the Mindanao Media Hub, and the Visayas Media Hub.
He also hoped that Angeles would continue strengthening local and international media ties.
"To our successors, may you continue to exhibit what real public service is and manifest a sense of determination to serve the common interests of the public," Andanar said.
"May you continue to support and pursue PCOO advocacies and aspirations of empowering every Filipino through correct and professional information delivery," he added.
Andanar encouraged the incoming officials to continue to promote the Freedom of Information, rally behind the protection of media personnel, and push for the legislation of the Media Workers' Welfare Bill.
Meanwhile, Angeles committed to providing "more depth and more dimension" to what PCOO has already achieved, as she reminded everyone of the change the department would have to manage as the new leadership takes office.
"Change must be managed. It is inevitable, so you must face it. What we're doing now is facing changes. There are some here who I will be seeing more, and there are some who will be moving forward," she said.
"Either way, you're going to be managing some kind of change. But our success is determined by our ability not just to manage them but to adapt with them," she added.
At the same event, Angeles revealed other incoming officials who will serve under her leadership, namely media personalities Ina Reformina, Greggy Eugenio, Marlon Purificacion, Bobby RicoHermoso, and Dale de Vera.
The incoming Communications Secretary previously worked as a social media strategist for the agency from July 2017 to 2018.
Before her appointment, Angeles worked as deputy chairperson of the National Committee on Monuments and Sites. She was also the spokesperson of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Impeachment Watch Group, and law practitioner at the Cruz-Angeles Law Office.
She also served as legal advisor of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
She has hosted the radio program "Karambola" on DWIZ. She also has a YouTube channel called "Luminous by Trixie Cruz-Angeles & Ahmed Paglinawan," with more than 85,000 subscribers and 406,000 Facebook fans.
Angeles, a known supporter of President Duterte, was suspended by the Supreme Court for three years in 2016 over a complaint filed against her in 2003 concerning an annulment case she handled.
She was the lawyer of Oakwood mutineer and former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon. She also defended expelled members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Lowell Menorca II and Lottie Manalo-Hemedez in their cases against the church.
Angeles was also part of the then Chief Justice Renato Corona's legal team during his impeachment trial in 2012.