Lorraine Badoy says she‘s just PCOO usec, not spokesperson

Newly appointed undersecretary for new media of the Presidential Communications Operations Office Lorraine Badoy said Monday she declined to be the spokesperson for the department.

"I am just an undersecretary of PCOO for new media. Hindi spokesperson," she told reporters in Malacañang.

Asked why she refused the post, Badoy said she didn't want to be put in the spotlight.

"Kasi ayoko... I didn't like it. I didn't want it," she said. "Kasi ayaw ko ng spotlight. Ayoko talaga. Gusto ko ninja lang. This is painful. Honestly. Para sa bayan." 

She added that she didn't have any information if PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar will appoint another as a spokesperson now that she declined the post.

Badoy clarified that she would start with the PCOO on November 1 and meet with Andanar and the other officials after Duterte's official visit to Japan.

"I don't know yet the exact parameters of my new job here kasi I'm still nga officially with DSWD and tying things up," she said.

She added that Duterte didn't have any specific marching orders for her yet. But she just followed Duterte's decision to transfer her from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to PCOO. 

"He needed me. That's it... He's a very busy man. I'm just a good soldier... This so way out of my comfort zone, well, you know, go where you're needed," he said.

"[Needed in] New media. I'm guessing social media, basically that, to bring the President closer, I guess, he can get closer to the people who love him," he added.

Badoy was appointed as PCOO undersecretary on October 19.

Mocha's not a fake news purveyor

Meanwhile, Badoy defended PCOO assistant secretary Mocha Uson from those accusing her of spreading lies online. 

"Hindi naman talaga purveyor of fake news si Mocha. Di ba when she was grilled for six hours sa Senate and she answered very, very well. She debunked this myth na she is a purveyor of fake news," she said.

While she has yet to determine if handling "fake news" will be part of her job, Badoy said she would rather focus on the gains of the administration.

"Siyempre ayoko niyan [fake news]. Kasi ang totoo lang, napakaganda ng totoong news... The accomplishments and the achievements of the President are also unprecedented," she said.

When it was pointed out to her about Uson's attacks against the media, she said that she didn't see her position as a way to control the assistant secretary for social media.

"I don't see my role as [undersecretary] for new media to control Asec. Mocha. She's a very intelligent and strong woman, powerful in her own right. But certainly, if the way I see it is our office is building alliances and allies, that would include the press," she told reporters.

"I give you my promise that my office will be open and I will be listening and I am your bridge to the President and to our people," she added.

Duterte's image

Badoy said that as a new PCOO official, she didn't see herself improving the image of the President amid criticisms against his administration. She said that Duterte's landslide victory during the May 2016 elections was a clear indication that the Filipinos understood him.

"He was voted landslide. The people knew who were they voting for. So, I don't think I need to improve on the President's image," she said. 

"As I said, I think there are just handful dedicated to taking him down but numbers will tell you that the overwhelming majority approve and trust the President. And I don't see my role as improving the President's image, as it is with building allies for the President," she added. — RSJ, GMA News