After receiving criticisms on conflicting statements from Duterte cabinet secretaries, Malacañan maintained Abella is the only presidential spokesperson.
The Malacañan Palace clarified that only Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella can speak on behalf of President Rodrigo Duterte after receiving criticisms that cabinet secretaries have conflicting statements.
Analysts say that Duterte’s communication team should clarify chain of command so as to not create confusion to the listening public as to what the president’s stand really is, especially on controversial issues.
The previous week, officials gave contrasting explanations on whether the state of lawless violence the president declared following the Davao Night Market bombing covers only Mindanao or the whole country.
Presidential Communications Sec. Martin Andanar appealed to the members of the media to direct clarificatory questions regarding Duterte’s pronouncements to Sec. Abella who leads the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
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