The secretary of the Presidential Communications Office is the head of the Presidential Communications Office of the Philippines, responsible for overseeing the Office's communications functions and operations.
The position has been known under different titles over time. It was known as press secretary (1946–1969; April 28, 1986 – August 9, 2010; June 30–December 29, 2022), the minister of public information (1969–February 25, 1996), and secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (August 9, 2010 – June 30, 2022;; February 13, 2023-present). The holder of the position, at times, also acts as the presidential spokesperson.
Background The Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) serves as the chief communications official of the Philippine government. Tasked with crafting and disseminating the official messaging of the President, the Secretary oversees all public communications, media relations, and government information dissemination. The role includes managing the PCO and its attached agencies, coordinating with various departments to ensure consistency in government messaging, and serving as the primary spokesperson or media coordinator for the Office of the President when needed.
The Secretary is appointed by the President but must be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, as it is a Cabinet-level position.
List Portrait Name Office name Term began Term ended President Guillermo V. SisonPress Secretary 1958 July 1958Carlos P. Garcia Jose C. Nable August 1, 1958 December 1961 Rufino G. Hechanova December 30, 1961 July 1962Diosdado Macapagal Leoncio R. Paruñgao Jr. July 19, 1962 January 1964 Virgilio P. Reyes Sr. January 1964 December 1965 Jose Aspiras December 30, 1965 December 1969Ferdinand Marcos Francisco TatadMinister of Public Information 1969 February 1980 Gregorio Cendaña February 1980 February 25, 1986 Alice C. VilladolidPress Secretary April 28, 1986 September 3, 1986Corazon Aquino Teodoro Locsin Jr. March 26, 1986 September 14, 1987 Teodoro Benigno Jr. September 15, 1987 June 14, 1989 Adolfo Azcuna June 16, 1989 December 31, 1989 Tomas B. Gomez III January 4, 1990 February 11, 1992 Horacio V. Paredes February 12, 1992 June 30, 1992Rodolfo ReyesJuly 1, 1992May 10, 1993Fidel V. RamosJesus SisonMay 11, 1993June 20, 1995Hector VillanuevaJuly 21, 1995June 29, 1998Rodolfo ReyesJuly 1, 1998April 15, 2000Joseph Ejercito EstradaRicardo Puno Jr.April 16, 2000January 20, 2001Noel C. CabreraJanuary 23, 2001 March 31, 2002Gloria Macapagal ArroyoRigoberto TiglaoApril 1, 2002April 17, 2002Silvestre AfableApril 17, 2002July 15, 2002Ignacio BunyeJuly 16, 2002January 19, 2003Hernani BraganzaJanuary 20, 2003 June 17, 2003Milton AlingodJune 18, 2003 August 30, 2004Ignacio BunyeSeptember 1, 2004June 15, 2008Jesus DurezaJune 16, 2008 January 31, 2009Cerge RemondeFebruary 1, 2009 January 19, 2010Conrado Limcaoco Jr. (Acting)January 20, 2010 January 31, 2010Crispulo Icban Jr.February 1, 2010June 30, 2010Cornelio Baliao Jr. ()July 1, 2010August 9, 2010Benigno S. Aquino IIIHerminio Coloma Jr.Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations OfficeAugust 10, 2010June 30, 2016Martin AndanarJune 30, 2016 June 30, 2022Rodrigo Roa DuterteAtty. Trixie Cruz-AngelesPress SecretaryJune 30, 2022October 4, 2022Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.Atty. Cheloy V. Garafil, MNSA (OIC)October 7, 2022December 29, 2022Atty. Cheloy V. Garafil, MNSASecretary of the Presidential Communications Office December 29, 2022September 5, 2024Cesar B. Chavez (Acting)September 5, 2024February 24, 2025Jay Ruiz (Ad Interim)February 24, 2025July 10, 2025Dave Gomez (Acting)July 10, 2025Incumbent
See also Presidential spokesperson of the Philippines Presidential Communications Group Office of the President of the Philippines
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