Jay Ruiz. Screen grab from from Jay Ruiz’s YouTube page, Jay Ruiz Talks @ Sentro

MANILA, Philippines – Newly appointed Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz defended the order on Saturday mandating “unqualified courtesy resignations” of presidential appointees at the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and its attached agencies and state-run firms.

“Mahirap din po kasi, dapat pagkakatiwalaan… Kasi, kung hindi mo kasama, hindi mo naman siya dapat kilala,” he said.

“Usually, ganun naman talaga kasi we’re all presidential appointees here. So, para lang sa amin naman, siyempre, free hand sa pagpili ng ating mga kasama,” he said during a flag raising ceremony in Malacañang. 

Ruiz said the order was simply anchored on having a smooth-sailing working atmosphere with people he’s built trust with over the years. 

“Mahirap din po kasi, dapat pagkakatiwalaan… Kasi, kung hindi mo kasama, hindi mo naman siya dapat kilala. As a secretary, dapat dalhin mo rin ‘yung sarili mong tao. I-a-assess mo rin yung mga proseso at sistema sa opisyo. So, sa akin lang, siyempre, walang personalan,” he said. 

On February 25, executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin gave the incumbent PCO appointees until Friday, Feb. 28, to quit their posts.

The directive covered presidential appointees in PCO agencies, offices, and bureaus with non-permanent appointments.