Deputy presidential spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Michel Kristian (File photo)
MANILA – The incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) must be prepared and flexible to ensure the efficient and prompt information delivery services of the government, deputy presidential spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Michel Kristian “Kris” Ablan said on Thursday.
Ablan, who will be staying at PCOO with the rank of career executive service officer, gave the advice during an interview with ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
"We have to act fast. Kailangan sa unang araw pa lang, gawin na po natin 'yung kailangang gawin kasi (On our first day, we have to do what we need to do because) otherwise, we will be beaten out by other programs and activities of other agencies kasi (because) we're all asking for the public's attention," Ablan said.
Ablan also reiterated that President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. can rely on the state media during his presidency.
He advised Marcos' communications team to learn to adapt to the situation, as well as to the new technology, to make sure that public will be well-informed of the upcoming administration's policies and programs.
"Ang isa sa mga natutunan ko (One of the things I have learned) is you have to be flexible. Kung ano po 'yung principal mo o 'yung presidente mo, kailangan mong mag-adjust (You have to adjust, whoever your principal or president is)," Ablan said, as he recounted his experiences when he joined the PCOO in 2016.
He said being part of the outgoing PCOO is "very educational and life-changing," especially since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is spontaneous.
Ablan admitted that the PCOO has to "curate" the statements of Duterte, who has a penchant for delivering impromptu, lengthy speeches, in order to make it "acceptable" to the public.
Marcos' leadership style will be different from Duterte, as he prefers to be "deliberate," Press Secretary-designate Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles earlier said.
Marcos is also not keen on designating his spokesperson, and instead opts to continue vlogging during his presidency to deliver information about his government "straight from the horse's mouth."
The incoming President intends to use social media platforms such as Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and Tiktok to keep the public posted.
Since the PCOO already has existing accounts on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter, Ablan said the office might just create a Tiktok account for the Marcos administration.
"The President-elect had a very effective communications team. So, we will follow kung ano pong tingin nila 'yung tingin nila ang strengths ng administration na ito (what they think are the strengths of this [outgoing] administration)," Ablan said.
Ablan guaranteed that the PCOO would continue to fulfill its mandate as the lead communications arm of the incoming administration.
"The PCOO here is a service agency and we will provide the services needed by the executive," he said. "So, sa akin, kailangan (for me, what we need to do) is strike while the iron is hot. 'Yun po ang aking tip sa ating incoming officials po (That's my tip to our incoming officials)." (PNA)
