TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles. Tacloban Bureau) – Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the national government will build its first strategic communications training center to capacitate state information officers on effective public and media relations.

The Department of Finance and Department of Budget recently approved the PHP100 million proposed budget of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to build the facility in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

In an exclusive interview with The Adobo Chronicles,  Andanar revealed that he was tapping Maria Ressa to head the training center, acknowledging that the Rappler CEO is a much better communicator than he is or any of his Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries.

Ressa has reportedly agreed to take on the new job because her online news business is about to go bankrupt. She is also hoping that by taking on a government position, she will be spared of further prosecution in connection with criminal charges filed against her — from tax evasion to cyber libel.

Assistant Secretary Lorraine M. Badoy is not happy about Ressa’s potential appontment, mostly because of professional jealousy.