Andanar willing to step back as Roque slated for Office of the Press Secretary post

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. has been offered a post at the Office of Press Secretary (OPS), which Malacañang appears to be reviving as the government's messaging arm.

Andanar made the statement on Saturday during a radio interview when he was asked about "replacements" being considered to fill in vacant Cabinet positions.

"Well, hindi ko pa alam kung sino iyong ipapalit doon sa mga ibang bakante, mababakante na puwesto pero iyong Office of the Press Secretary ay iyon ang inaalok para kay Harry Roque," he said in an interview on radio dzMM.

When asked what would become of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and his post as Communications Secretary, Andanar answered: "Ako naman ay handang magsakripisyo para lamang hindi tumakbo si Harry Roque."

The Communications Secretary said he believes his "objectives" for  government media have already been achieved, citing various programs for PTV, Radyo Pilipinas, and social media.

He also remarked, "Importante kasi si Secretary Harry Roque na nasa Communications."

The revelation came amid Roque's apparent plan to vacate his post.

This is not the first the public is hearing a "sacrifice" being made at the PCOO. Recently, resigned PCOO Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson said she was making the "sacrifice" of giving up her post to prevent the budget of her office from allegedly getting delayed further.

During the interview, Andanar said the PCOO will "likely" be "dissolved" once the OPS is revived.

He explained that the government is planning to merge into one unit the different communication departments under the executive office, including the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson.

"Hindi lang iyong PCDSPO at PCOO iyong pag-iisahin, pati iyong Office of the Presidential Spokesperson ay isasama, parang one na lang," he said.

Office of the Press Secretary

During a budget hearing of the PCOO's budget on Wednesday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III sought for the reestablishment of the OPS to replace the PCOO to streamline its operations.

"With the budget being discussed, now is the best time to review the possibility of turning it back into Office of Press Secretary to streamline its operations," Sotto said.

Sotto also said they have already informed President Rodrigo Duterte about this suggestion and that the President "is receptive to the idea."

The PCOO was created in 2010 by then-President Benigno Aquino III through Executive Order No. 4, which also established the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO).

At present, the PCOO is headed by Andanar with three undersecretaries and seven assistant secretaries. Uson, the eighth assistant secretary (on Social Media), announced her resignation during Wednesday's budget presentation at the Senate. — MDM, GMA News