MANILA- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) regional director for Caraga has been assigned as officer-in-charge of the agency's central office.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, in a text message to ABS-CBN News Monday, confirmed that he has chosen Abner Caga to lead the PIA.

Andanar said Caga is one of the qualified regional directors to serve as officer-in-charge of the agency.

He also clarified that Caga's assignment is only temporary since President Rodrigo Duterte would still decide on the next PIA chief.

LOOK: PCOO Department order assigning Abner Caga as OIC of the PIA central office (📷 Usec. Marvin Gatpayat) @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/oR7BYDH7JK

— Arianne Merez (@arianne_merez) September 2, 2019

The development comes following the exit of former PIA chief Harold Clavite last Friday.

• Fired or resigned? PIA chief Harold Clavite says he did not quit

It can be recalled that in June, Andanar said Clavite was under investigation due to allegations of corruption.

The PIA is under the Presidential Communications Operations Office headed by Andanar.

Clavite earlier said the allegations against him were the handiwork of some of his subordinates engaged in irregularities that involve millions in public funds.

The former PIA chief on Monday also revealed that he had informed
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea of his "differences" with Andanar, which he claimed started in 2016.

Clavite claimed that Andanar labeled him as a "defiant subordinate."

"I defied instructions that were improper. I fought directives that were out of place," Clavite said.

Andanar, however, has yet to comment on Clavite's claims.