MANILA - Political strategist Malou Tiquia has broken down what is wrong with President Rodrigo Duterte's communications strategy, which has been blamed by observers for his recent problems.

Tiquia, a veteran strategist, handled the campaigns of Jejomar Binay and Leni Robredo in the 2016 elections.

According to Tiquia, there is a need to impose discipline on how the Palace and the president deal with the media.

"Define and delimit topics. It can't be a shoot for all or anything under the moon," Tiquia said.

She said that the spokespeople of the president can have a clearer assignment.

"Spokespersons to dwell on presidential policy statements. Let the spokesperson handle personal statements. Press secretary talks on institutional issues using the communications network in government. Let spokesperson handle president’s pronouncements," Tiquia advised.

Tiquia also suggested a vetting system that recognizes the personality of the president.

"Know their principal, hence vetting system in place regarding topics and responses. Do not interpret what principal says. Know what he will say before he meets press so while communications team can support president’s pronouncement," she explained.

If Tiquia were to have her way, media access to the president will be managed.

"Set up protocol, i.e. no ambush, when no Q&A, no exclusive, transcripts, cut off mic, no release unless approved by authority… President to personally talk to media when there are important announcements that he wants himself to do."

Tiquia said the rest of the cabinet can help in explaining their governance to media.

"Get the cabinet to do their department briefings so that public knows whole machinery is working and moving and drugs is not just the focus," Tiquia said.

She reminded the Palace that they have an entire bureaucracy to manage. She said the spokespersons should immediately clarify the statements with the president if they don’t understand what he said.

"If they don't understand what president said, it's duty of spokesperson to seek clarification and it should be made immediately."

Tiquia stressed the importance of knowing their principal very well and being very thorough and on their toes.

However Kabayan Party-List Representative Harry Roque downplayed the communications problems of President Duterte.

"The president is his own spokesperson. Ultimately, his job is to run the other agencies that have to be run, but I think this president really is the best spokesperson for himself. No other spokesperson," Roque said.

On Tuesday, veteran political public relations strategist Reli German said in an emailed interview with ABS-CBN that the president's problems are communications-related.

"Yes. The fact that he speaks his mind, seemingly regardless of the possibility of consequences, dumps the problems on those in charge of communications in the different levels of government," German said.

Asked if there are too many talking heads, German said, "It's necessary for the different branches of government to have their respective spokespersons. Unfortunately, when one word or statement by the president affects different departments, there appears to be little or no coordination among those tasked to affirm, deny or explain the president's statements or pronouncements."

German noted the need to tone down.

"Perhaps the admin should consider creating a Department or Office of Explanation, Translation and Clarification to decipher the meaning or intent of the president's pronouncements. Or Department of Interpretation, Clarification, and Explanation to perhaps cool down the president's hot words,” German said.

“In his speeches and replies to questions during interviews, the president seems not to care whether he offends people, countries or institutions in the course of attaining his objectives. It's like, ‘Take me for what I am, whether you like it or else,’" German said.