P-Noy names Coloma, Carandang to Palace communications group

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino has appointed broadcast journalist Ricky Carandang and columnist Herminio “Sonny” Coloma as heads of Malacañang’s Communications Group that would replace the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda did not categorically confirm the appointments, but admitted that the official announcement would be made tomorrow.

He, however, said that he would have “companions” by tomorrow in dealing with the media, adding that the OPS would not be dissolved but re-organized.

Sources said there would be no more press secretary and that Aquino made the decision Friday night as regards the Communications Group.

The same sources said Carandang would be in charge of “messaging” while Coloma would be responsible for “media operations.”

The sources added that it would have to be defined first who would face Congress for the hearings on the OPS budget.

Earlier, Carandang and another columnist, Manuel Quezon III, were reportedly being eyed for the Communications Group.

In his earlier press conference, Aquino admitted both Carandang and Quezon helped in his campaign.

“There are a lot of people who helped us in our media campaign and I’m hoping that I can still retain all of them within this more formal structure. The two you’ve mentioned are part of that group, but there are (other) people in that group,” Aquino said.

Carandang has resigned from ABS-CBN News Channel and it was announced as soon as his appointment was leaked.

In a statement posted on its Twitter account, ANC said Carandang tendered his resignation last Friday. But the network did not divulge the reason for his resignation.

“ANC management accepted the resignation of anchor Ricky Carandang, which he submitted Friday, July 9, 2010,” the network said.

The sources said both Carandang and Coloma would have equal powers.

Coloma, a former transportation undersecretary, was said to have the backing of television director and Aquino’s cousin Maria Montelibano.

Montelibano was the head of Radio-TV Malacañang during the presidency of Aquino’s late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

Carandang and Lacierda were identified with the Liberal Party’s group and Hyatt 10 that supported the candidacies of Aquino and his running mate, former Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Coloma and Montelibano held office on Samar Avenue and were said to be part of a faction in the Aquino campaign that were at odds with the LP and Hyatt 10.

Lacierda said there were still many details that would have to be finalized and clarified, such as who would have to face confirmation before the Commission on Appointments (CA) and who would attend the budget hearings.

He said that his office would be part of the Communications Group unlike before when it was under the OPS.  

But he said he would not be subject to CA confirmation because he did not have any specific item or plantilla in government.

“But there will only be one Communications Group. We have to fix the structure,” Lacierda said over government station dzRB.

He added that media entities being run by the government would fall under the new Communications Group, including the Philippine Information Agency.

Lacierda said they would have more defined roles because the President “wants an organization that will deliver his messages effectively and that will provide a feedback mechanism on what the government is doing.”