Letter for 'females with pleasing personality' unauthorized —PCOO exec

An official of the Presidential Communications Operations Operations Office on Friday denied authorizing a letter bearing his signature that has drawn criticism on social media.

PCOO Assistant Secretary Kissinger Reyes said he did not see the letter, addressed to the Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila asking for its volunteers in the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of the ASEAN on August 2-8 at the Philippine International Convention Center, before it made the rounds on social media.

“I did not see that letter and my staff in her overeagerness to serve, basically used my digital signature. I was not able to get that letter,” Reyes told GMA News Online in phone interview.

The letter, which was undated, drew brickbats online for faulty grammar. Netizens also noted the apparent sexism in the letter asking for 40 female volunteers "with pleasing personality."

Both Reyes and PCOO Sec. Martin Andanar said an official statement on the matter would be released. No statement has been issued as of posting time.

Reyes said the staffer who sent the letter has been reprimanded.

“We’ve already taken the proper steps, right steps, reprimanding the staff,” he said. —NB/JST, GMA News