Manila: Veteran journalist Jay Ruiz on Monday took his oath as Ad Interim Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malaca±ang. Outgoing PCO chief Cesar Chavez introduced Ruiz to members of the Malaca±ang Press Corps.

According to Philippines News Agency, in his first-ever interview as PCO Secretary, Ruiz vowed to fight disinformation and disseminate to the public the projects of the Marcos administration. “Ang gusto natin, malaman ng tao na ang gobyerno ay para sa tao (What we want is to make people know that the government is for the people),” Ruiz told reporters. A week-long transition has been set starting Monday, with Ruiz taking over by March 1.

Lawyer Claire Castro also took her oath as PCO Undersecretary before the President. Castro will also serve as ‘Palace press officer,’ presiding over Malaca±ang press briefings. In her first media interview, Castro criticized former president Rodrigo Duterte for his ‘baseless’ claims that Marcos is ‘veering towards a dictatorship.’ “Hindi tayo pwedeng maniwala sa mga pang-iintriga lamang na walang ebidensya (We cannot be swayed by baseless intrigues),” she said.

Citing how former senator Leila de Lima was jailed over charges during the Duterte administration, Castro said the public cannot expect anything from the former president but intrigues and fabricated evidence.