MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro will remain in government service despite the leadership transition at the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), with newly appointed Communications Secretary Lino Cayetano describing her as a “treasure” to the administration.
The development highlights the administration’s decision to retain Castro, a prominent public-facing official who regularly addresses reporters on behalf of Malacañang, even as the government’s communications leadership undergoes changes.
According to a report by The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Cayetano confirmed Castro’s continued stay in government and praised her value to the administration.
Cayetano’s Leadership, Castro’s Continued Role
Cayetano assumed leadership of the PCO on October 13, 2026, after taking his oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He replaced Dave Gomez, becoming the sixth communications chief of the current administration, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Upon assuming office, Cayetano said he wanted to make government information faster, more reliable, meaningful, and accessible to Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining engagement with journalists and finding more effective ways to communicate government programs and policies to the public.
The new PCO chief said direct communication and face-to-face engagement with media organizations and other stakeholders would remain important parts of his approach. https://www.pna.gov.ph/article/lino-cayetano-takes-over-as-pco-chief-vows-to-bring-govt-messaging-to-filipinos
Fighting Fake News and Improving Government Communication
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in a report dated October 13, said Cayetano also planned to strengthen grassroots communication, expand partnerships with media organizations, and improve efforts to counter fake news.
He highlighted the importance of reaching communities through local government units, barangays, churches, and other institutions to ensure that government information reaches people beyond digital platforms.
Cayetano also stressed that listening to the public and providing timely, accurate information would remain central to the PCO’s mandate. https://pia.gov.ph/news/cayetano-to-strengthen-grassroots-communication-media-engagement-vs-fake-news/
Castro’s retention comes against this backdrop of an evolving communications strategy. Her continued presence could provide institutional continuity as the PCO works to adjust how it communicates with the public and engages with the press.
What Castro’s Retention Means for the PCO
Keeping Castro in her post signals that the leadership transition does not necessarily mean a complete personnel overhaul. Retaining an experienced Palace spokesperson can help maintain consistency in daily briefings, official explanations, and responses to questions involving the administration.
However, the decision also places renewed attention on how the PCO will carry out its responsibilities under Cayetano’s leadership. The office faces the continuing challenge of communicating government policies clearly, responding to public concerns, and ensuring that official information is accurate and accessible.
For the public, the key measure will be whether the new leadership’s promises translate into more transparent, responsive, and effective government communication.
Castro’s continued stay and Cayetano’s description of her as a “treasure” offer an early indication of personnel continuity within the administration’s communications team. Whether this continuity will lead to a noticeable change in the public’s experience of government communication remains to be seen.
