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Andanar creates PNA editorial board, asks 3 employees to explain latest gaffe


Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday said he created an editorial board to monitor the stories published by the Philippine News Agency.

The decision was made after the state-run wire agency used Dole Philippines’ logo instead of the Department of Labor and Employment’s in a story about pay rules. It was PNA’s fourth gaffe since the Duterte administration came in.

Andanar will lead the editorial board, which includes Usec. Jose Joel Egco, Asec. Joseph Lawrence Garcia, PNA’s chief Virginia Arcilla-Agtay and acting executive editor Louie Morente, and consultant Albert Gamboa as its members.

“The Board will act as the last gatekeeper. All stories must pass under its scrutiny,” Andanar was quoted as saying in a press release.

Andanar also said that three PNA employees were given a show cause order to explain the latest blunder. He refused to name the officials but he said they would be in Congress on Tuesday.

“Under investigation na. Tomorrow they will be in Congress,” he said in a text message.

He summoned the PNA’s editorial staff led by Agtay and reprimanded personnel responsible for the DOLE incident. He also asked the editors to explain why PNA reposted a Xinhua article that called the landmark arbitration ruling that the Philippines won over China as an “ill-founded award” just a few days ago.

According to the release, Andanar directed his legal officers to determine the liability of the PNA officials concerned under existing government rules and laws.

“The people expect proficiency, no less,” he was quoted.

Andanar in a text message explained that all PNA employees were from past administrations, except for three new editors. — RSJ, GMA News

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