Andanar's challenge: Bring gov't media back to 'glory days'

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Broadcast journalist Martin Andanar is buckling down to work after accepting President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's offer to be Presidential Communications and Operations Office Secretary.

"Now, I'm in the process of hiring the best, the brightest and the boldest," Andanar said in a Facebook post.

"My friends, I ask for your fervent prayers and support because the road ahead will be long and rough."

Andanar said Duterte has given him the task to bring government's media agencies "back to (their) good old glory days."

"This requires a clear vision, 100% dedication, extraordinary capacity, political will and the grit to fight inefficiencies caused by corruption," he said.

He added that he is also committed to stop the alleged corruption in PCOO.

Andanar is set to replace Herminio 'Sonny' Coloma as head of the PCOO. He earlier said he would propose a national communications strategy for the operations of government stations and agencies such as PTV 4, Philippine Broadcasting Service, Radyo ng Bayan, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine News Agency and National Printing Office.

He clarified his work would focus on management of all media platforms of government while Atty. Salvador Panelo would continue to serve as presidential spokesperson.

The PCOO operates government media properties including PTV 4, Radyo ng Bayan, and the Philippine News Agency, among others. It also handles IBC 13, which the government sequestered after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

Andanar to propose national communications strategy for gov't media