(Eagle News) — Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has ordered a probe into the “breach of protocol” that resulted in his office’s release of media IDs that contained grammatical errors and were the subject of ridicule by some sectors.
Andanar said he has also ordered a recall of the IDs that were issued by the Presidential Communications Operations Office to media covering the President–the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) and the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).
“This card to be worn during presidential coverage, but subject to specific accreditation/security requirements. But Subject to specific accreditation/security requirements. It should be worn all times in entering Malacañang and while inside the Palace grounds. Unauthorized use of this card will result in confiscation. It is non-transferable and void if altered this card remains property of the Presidential Communications Office. Upon expiration or when resigns from his or her agency, this card should be returning without delay to the International Press Center, G/F National Press Club, Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila,” the cards which bore Andanar’s signature said.
According to Andanar, the breach of protocol was based on four grounds: “1. Staff did not show the backflip of the ID to me; 2. (International Press Center) did not return the final design for my approval; 3. IPC used an e-signature without my permission; 4. IPC used the wrong e-signature.”
The government’s media arms have already been criticized in previous instances.
In August 2017, a Philippine News Agency story on the Department of Labor and Employment, also called DOLE, used as logo a Dole pineapple logo.
In another story about a beheading in Mindanao, PNA identified the wrong victim who came forward and said that he was still alive.
