Palace Undersecretary Submits Courtesy Resignation
Standard Transition Process Underway
A key official at the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has submitted a courtesy resignation, signaling a routine procedural step following new leadership. Atty. Claire Castro, a Palace Press Officer Undersecretary, confirmed her action on Wednesday.
PCO Transition Under New Leadership
Castro’s resignation follows a directive from Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez. He requested courtesy resignations from appointees shortly after assuming his leadership role.
Appointees have a deadline of Friday, July 18, to file their resignations. Gomez characterized the request as a standard part of the transition process.
“Until any action is taken by the Undersigned on such courtesy resignations, all Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries and Directors of the PCO-Central Office and Heads and other Presidential Appointees of Attached Agencies shall continue to report for work and perform their usual duties and responsibilities, subject to any modification that the new leadership of PCO may deem proper to adopt in the meantime.”
—Dave Gomez, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary
The acting secretary emphasized his intention to prioritize a comprehensive performance audit within the agency.
In a related development, the Philippine government’s digital transformation efforts are ongoing, with a goal to improve public service delivery through technology. For instance, the digitalization of business permits aims to streamline processes, reducing average processing times by up to 40% according to a government report (cite government efficiency report, 2023).
Focus on Performance Audit
Gomez stated his commitment to conducting a thorough and impartial assessment of the office’s performance. This audit is intended to provide a clear picture of the PCO’s current operations.
The process ensures that all appointed officials are aligned with the new administration’s vision and objectives.