President Marcos has appointed broadcast journalist Joee Guilas as an undersecretary at the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAP-IEA) under Secretary Frederick Go.

Guilas, whose appointment took effect on May 15, 2024, said public service has always been in his heart.

"I always had it in my heart to serve the people through the government as a way of giving back to the taxpayers who gave me the means to finish my education," he said.

"Now it’s time to give it my best shot to help millions of Filipinos fulfill their [dreams]… officially," he added.

Guilas, who earned his BS in Economics degree from the University of the Philippines, will help the government forge strategic partnerships and engagements among various audiences to promote the Philippines as Asia’s most promising investment hub.

Guilas has been a journalist for 30 years. He was a radio broadcaster, a columnist for several publications and broadsheets, and hosted programs in both traditional and digital media.  

He was the first news anchor from the state-run People’s Television Network (PTV-4) to win Best Male Newscaster in the Philippine Movie Press Club’s 35th Star Awards for Television.

Guilas was likewise cited as among the nominees for Best Television News Anchor in the prestigious Asian Television Awards held in Vietnam earlier this year.

Outside the realm of media, Guilas occupied senior executive posts in various companies across different industries. During his stint as its vice president and director, the Newport World Resorts (formerly Resorts World Manila) won over 50 local and international awards and accolades.

He is adept in the fields of business communications, marketing, advertising, public relations, customer service excellence, and product development.

Guilas was also part of the academe. He taught at the Far Eastern University.

Meanwhile, he is a member of the Miss Universe Philippines Council of Advisers. In addition, he was named among People Asia’s Men Who Matte awardees in 2015 and is a Lifetime Achievement Awardee of the Outstanding Men and Women of the Philippines Awards.  

Guilas' father is the late Pablo Guilas who was a photojournalist in Malacañan and was part of the pioneering team that started the Philippine News Agency during the administration of the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.