Too many “spokespersons” spoil everything.
A Palace memorandum signed on Sep 20 by executive secretary Salvador Medialdea has decreed that “official statements” of President Rodrigo Duterte “on significant national and international issues” should only be issued by presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
If Abella isn’t around, all statements on behalf of the President would be delivered only by Presidential Communications Office chief Martin Andanar.
“The order came after the conflicting statements issued between the Cabinet officials and the President,” reports Nestor Corrales on Inquirer.net.
The memorandum noted: “The members of the Cabinet, heads of agencies, offices, and instrumentalities of the National government, including Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) shall refrain from giving statements to the media except on matters directly concerning their office or unless prior clearance has been secured from the PCO.”
The memorandum further explained that the order was “in accordance with the consensus reached during previous Cabinet meetings.”
Uh oh, does that mean there’s every probability that Abella will be making a fool of himself again on international TV?
