PR man is new PCO chief

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed journalist-turned-corporate communications executive Dave Gomez as the new head of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Malacañang announced Thursday.

In a press conference, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Gomez would replace Jay Ruiz, who would be appointed as a member of the board of directors of the Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan.

“Secretary Gomez brings decades of experience in journalism, government and corporate communications,” Castro said.

PCO FAREWELL Outgoing Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Jay Ruiz bids the Malacañang Press Corps farewell on July 10, 2025, following the announcement that he will be replaced by Dave Gomez. Ruiz said he was ‘filled with gratitude.’ PHOTO BY KRISTINA MARALIT

“Secretary Dave will ensure clear and truthful government messaging for every Filipino,” she added.

Gomez, who used to cover Malacañang during the term of President Fidel Ramos, is the fifth PCO chief in just three years under the Marcos administration.

Gomez spent 11 years in media before transitioning to advertising at Leo Burnett Manila and later serving in government as director general of the Philippine Information Agency.

His last job was head of communications for Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. Inc., which is partly owned by the Lucio Tan Group.

Ruiz, who will be transferred to MECO, thanked Marcos for his continued trust and confidence in appointing him to a new role in his administration.

MECO is chaired by Cheloy Garafil, who also served as PCO secretary from October 2022 to September 2024.

“It has been an honor to lead the PCO in advancing transparency, timely information and responsible public communication,” Ruiz said in a statement.

“My almost five months as PCO secretary have been a profound learning experience. I witnessed firsthand the nobility of public service, where every day presents an opportunity to serve the Filipino people and contribute directly to nation-building,” he added.

Ruiz also congratulated Gomez on his appointment as new PCO chief, and expressed confidence that “under his leadership, the agency will continue to grow and thrive in fulfilling its vital mission.”

“I will continue to wholeheartedly support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his administration in realizing the aspirations of Bagong Pilipinas,” he said.

Also on Thursday, the Palace said the President appointed former lawmaker Sharon Garin as secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE).

Castro said Garin has a strong background in energy policy and legislation “to advance accessible, reliable and sustainable energy for our people.”

Castro said that Garin is a lawyer and CPA with extensive public service experience, having served as a multi-term Iloilo representative and undersecretary of the DOE.

“We look forward to the leadership as we strengthen government communications and secure our country’s energy needs under the Bagong Pilipinas,” Castro said during a press conference.

Garin was first appointed by the President as the officer in charge of the DOE, replacing Raphael Lotilla, who was transferred to lead the Department of Environment and Natural Resource1s.

Before her appointment, Garin served as an undersecretary in the Energy department, and as the representative for the AAMBIS-Owa Party-list.

Garin vowed to sustain the energy policies and reforms initiated under her predecessor.

“The key word is continuity. We continue the policies and the reforms that Secretary Lotilla has done so that the President’s targets will continue by 2028,” Garin said during an earlier media briefing.

She also said there would be stability within the department, noting that no major personnel changes are expected.

“Everybody stays as long as you’ve done your work well and you believe in the reforms,” she said.