(DC file photo)
Malacañang reaffirmed its commitment to protecting press freedom and recognizing the role of critical media in strengthening democracy, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Lino Cayetano said Monday.
In an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel, Cayetano said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. values diverse perspectives, including those of government supporters and critics, as essential to improving public service and governance.
He emphasized that the President believes independent and critical media play an important role in holding the government accountable.
“Our president firmly believes that a critical media helps government become better,” Cayetano said.
The PCO chief also assured that the administration would continue supporting press freedom, describing it as a fundamental democratic principle.
“That’s something we will continue to fight for,” he added.
Meanwhile, Cayetano expressed his intention to strengthen cooperation between the PCO and media organizations to ensure that government programs, policies, and initiatives are effectively communicated to the public.
He said his approach to government communication was shaped by his previous experience in local governance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when timely and accurate information was crucial.
Cayetano stressed that informing citizens about government initiatives would encourage greater public participation and help communities understand how they could benefit from and contribute to various programs.
He added that the PCO would focus on making government information more accessible while promoting public engagement in national development efforts.
