Newly-named PCOO Exec from Cebu Wants Closer Relations Between Manila, Provincial Media

A Cebuano journalist who was named as an assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has said he wants closer ties between the Manila media and those in the provinces.

Juniño Padilla, station manager of Cebu City-based dyRC, said he was recruited by Martin Andanar, a television journalist, who was recently appointed as the new PCOO chief, as head of media and press relations.

Padilla was the second Cebuano chosen to become a member of the official family of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, after businessman Michael Lloyd Dino, who named presidential assistant for the Visayas.

Padilla, 37, said he met Andanar when they became classmates last year at the National University of Singapore for their master’s degree in public service.

Padilla, who also manages the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), the mother company of dyRC, said he did not show support or preference for Duterte during the just concluded elections to remain true to his job as a journalist.

He said he was focused on directing the assignments of their provincial reporters.

Padilla also said he believed the Cebu media could adjust to Duterte’s style of dealing with journalists, amid the recent controversies involving the incoming president’s comments about media killings and corruption, and his criticisms against the so-called “paid hacks” in media.

Duterte also plans to issue statements only to the state-run media. (PNA) LAP/EB/SSC