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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Castro stays on as Palace Press Officer—PCO chief

Castro stays on as Palace Press Officer—PCO chief

Published Jul 30, 2025 07:55 am

At A Glance

  • Based on the special order, Castro is tasked to "provide timely statements and clarifications on presidential engagements, policies, and positions" as may be authorized. She shall also supervise the preparation of messaging materials and briefing content for official media engagements.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro will stay on as Palace Press Officer after filing her courtesy resignation early this month, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed Wednesday, July 30.

PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro

In a text message to Palace reporters on Wednesday morning, July 30, PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said “yes,” when asked to confirm reports of a special order issued on July 29 retaining Castro in her current position.

Gomez added that Castro's courtesy resignation was the first he had acted upon in the three weeks he had been in office.

As Palace Press Officer, Castro has been a key figure in daily Palace briefings, explaining the administration’s programs. Her no-nonsense approach has earned praise and criticism on issues ranging from online attacks and foreign affairs to impeachment debates and countering false information.

Based on the special order, Castro is tasked to "provide timely statements and clarifications on presidential engagements, policies, and positions" as may be authorized. She shall also supervise the preparation of messaging materials and briefing content for official media engagements.

Castro had earlier told radio station True FM that she was among the officials set to tender their resignations following Gomez’s appointment, calling it a standard procedure during a change in agency leadership.

“Opo. Meron po. Kasama po tayo doon (Yes, there will be [resignations]. I am included),” she said in the July 16 interview, adding that she would file her resignation “Ngayon ho (Today).”

She explained that the move would give Gomez a free hand to reorganize the PCO and select team members aligned with the administration’s communication priorities.

“Para mabigyan din po siya ng leeway na makapamili kung sino po ang mga tao na pwede niyang makasama (So he has the leeway to choose the people he wants to work with),” she said.

Despite her earlier offer to step aside, Castro made clear she had not been asked to tone down her press briefings or step back from public view.

“Malumanay naman po ako. Nagkakataon lang po siguro na may mga pagkakataon na dapat labanan ang fake news (I speak gently. It just happens that sometimes, we need to fight fake news),” she said.

“Mahirap naman kasi na mag-acting ako (It would be difficult for me to act or pretend),” she added, emphasizing that her job was not to please, but to present facts and push back against disinformation.

Gomez took his oath of office earlier this month and pledged to promote programs and policies “minus politics.”

Related Tags

Claire Castro Presidential Communications Office Dave Gomez
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