MANILA — Despite criticism over her handling of daily Palace press briefings, Atty. Claire Castro will stay on as undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), with acting PCO Secretary Dave Gomez defending her performance as “a fine job.”
“Yes, this is confirmed,” Gomez told reporters in an ambush interview on Wednesday. “She is doing a fine job!”
Gomez said Castro’s courtesy resignation, submitted as part of a sweeping realignment within the PCO, was not accepted — a decision that underscores the administration’s confidence in her leadership and communication capabilities.
Castro, a lawyer and podcaster, has stirred both praise and controversy for her often blunt remarks during Palace pressers, particularly when addressing questions related to the Dutertes. Her approach has sparked debate over tone and decorum in official government communications.
She was appointed undersecretary in February alongside then-acting secretary Jay Ruiz, who was replaced by Gomez earlier this July.
As part of his early initiatives, Gomez had ordered all PCO political appointees to submit courtesy resignations by July 18 to allow for an internal recalibration under his leadership.
Castro’s retention is viewed as a signal of continuity even as the PCO undergoes leadership shifts and restructuring./PN
