Palace names journo Joe Torres as PIA chief

Malacañang on Tuesday announced the appointment of journalist and author Jose "Joe" Torres Jr. as the new director general of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

The Presidential Communications Office said Torres' appointment was dated May 19, 2023.

Torres, who replaced Ramon Cualoping III, will have the rank of Director VI.

On Monday, Cualoping announced that his resignation on April 4, 2023 has already been accepted.

"I have announced to the PIA officials and my staff this development. I ensure a smooth transition to my successor once the Office of the President announces it," Cualoping said in a Facebook post.

"I am grateful for the opportunity, the distinct honor to have served as Assistant Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office from 2016 to 2020 and as the Undersecretary & DG of the PIA since 2020," he added.

Malacañang earlier announced the appointment of Paulino Gutierrez as the new executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS).

Other new appointments include:

• Karlo Fermin Adriano - Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance
• Alberto Francisco Pascual - Acting President and Chief Executive Officer and Member of Board of Directors, Philippine Guarantee Corporation
• Gilbert Cacatian - Director IV, Department of Labor and Employment
• George Almaden - Director IV, Office for Transportation Security, Department of Transportation
• Karen Kreez Tangco-Pascasio - Director IV, Governance Commission for Government-owned-or-controlled Corporations; and
• Vanessa Grace Samson - Head Executive Assistant, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.

—Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News