(File photo)
MANILA – Although the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has adopted an interim policy on the accreditation of vloggers and other social media practitioners since 2017, an official on Thursday said no social media practitioner has applied for accreditation to cover Palace events.
In an interview over DZMM’s Teleradyo program, PCOO Undersecretary and acting deputy presidential spokesperson Michel Kristian “Kris” Ablan said accreditation remains open, but this time, Press Secretary-designate Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles and her team will be in charge.
“Mayroon po tayong existing social media-vlogger accreditation policy nung 2017 pa po ‘yan, nung kasama pa po si Assistant Sec. Mocha Uson. Pero wala po kaming na-accredit na vlogger kasi wala pong nag-apply (We have an existing social media-vlogger accreditation policy since 2017 when we used to be with Assistant Sec. Mocha Uson. But we have not accredited any vloggers because none have applied),” he said
Asked if vloggers will be allowed to cover the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Ablan said the question should be directed to Cruz-Angeles.
“Anything to do with the inauguration on whether vloggers will be allowed in the event is already the jurisdiction ng (of the) incoming administration,” he added.
He, however, said the PCOO will be in full force during Marcos’ inauguration at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila on June 30.
“We are providing full force, lahat ng aming broadcasting arsenal sa kanila (all our broadcasting arsenal to them). So andyan po ang RTVM para magcover at andyan po ang ating PIA [Philippine Information Agency], PTV, tsaka ang Radyo Pilipinas,” he said.
Ablan earlier assured that the Marcos Jr. administration can depend on a stronger state media when he officially assumes office in July.
Last week, PCOO Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said the PCOO will not interfere in the plan of Cruz-Angeles to accredit vloggers to join presidential events and Palace press briefings.
“The plan to grant press credentials to bloggers in Malacañang is an internal decision of the incoming administration. Any reaction or queries on the matter should therefore be best answered by the next administration's Press Secretary-designate,” Andanar said.
In 2017, the PCOO accredited vloggers or social media personalities with at least 5,000 followers to attend presidential events through Department Order No. 15.
Under the order, a social media practitioner refers to “a person that maintains a publicly-accessible social media page, blog or website which generates content and whose principal advocacy is the regular dissemination of original news and/or opinion of interest.”
During Marcos Jr.’s campaign, vloggers were allowed to cover alongside journalists.
Cruz-Angeles earlier said giving social media personalities access to Palace coverage is one of the administration's priorities to raise public awareness of the policies and programs of the incoming Marcos administration. (PNA)
