PCO official Puod resigns

Metro Manila, Philippines - Communications Senior Undersecretary Ana Puod has resigned while the courtesy resignations of 17 officials of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) have been accepted, Malacañang confirmed Tuesday, June 17.

In a briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Puod resigned voluntarily.

Castro said there was no directive for undersecretaries from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to offer courtesy resignations amid the government review.

“Kung ano man ang kanyang dahilan personal na sa kanya ‘yon [Whatever her reason that’s personal to her],” Castro told reporters.

Veteran journalist Jay Ruiz was also reappointed as acting secretary of the PCO, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed. The Commission on Appointments deferred Ruiz’s deliberations due to lack of material time.

Meanwhile, Castro also said the courtesy resignation of 17 PCO officials were accepted, but she did not specify their positions.

“Kung sila ay kawalan at kailangan ng isang magaling na tauhan sa kanilang posisyon, definitely dapat mapunan,” she said.

[Translation: If the position needs an excellent worker, definitely it should be filled.]