PCOO chief orders legal officers to find out culpability of PNA officers over wrong portal posts

August 14, 2017

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar ordered on Monday his legal officers to determine the culpability of the officials of state-run Philippine News Agency over the recent erroneous posts on its website.

In a statement, Andanar said he summoned the editorial staff of PNA led by its chief, Virginia Arcilla-Agtay, to determine the culpability of some personnel who may have been remiss in their duties.

PNA is an attached agency of the PCOO.

The statement said Andanar "reprimanded" the PNA personnel concerned for the erroneous posting of the DOLE Philippines logo on a story that pertained to the Department of Labor and Employment late last week.

He also asked PNA editors to explain the Xinhua news faux pas over the weekend that was also subjected to ridicule.

On August 6, PNA posted on its web portal an article of Xinhua news agency, calling the arbitral tribunal award on the Philippines as "ill-founded."

Andanar also reminded PNA reporters and editors the public expects the highest standards of professionalism from them, stressing  due diligence and propriety is a must for the news organization.

Andanar has directed his legal officers to determine the culpability of the PNA officials concerned under existing government rules and laws.

“We are all in one team, one family. We will do what is necessary to improve our services. The people expect proficiency, no less,” he said.

To avoid similar incidents, Andanar has formed a PNA Editorial Board, which he will lead. The members of the Board include Undersecretary Jose Joel Sy Egco, a former editor and chief of reporters of The Manila Times; Assistant Secretary Joseph Lawrence Garcia; Agtay; journalist/consultant Albert Gamboa; and PNA acting Executive Editor Louie Morente. Celerina Monte/DMS