The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) welcomed its new chief on Monday as outgoing acting Secretary Cesar Chavez introduced veteran broadcast journalist Jay Ruiz to the PCO family and the members of the Malacañang Press Corps.

Ruiz took his oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He will work with Chavez during a week-long transition period to familiarize himself with the agency’s operations.

Ruiz is scheduled to meet with the PCO’s attached agencies and offices in the coming days to gain a deeper understanding of its inner workings.

“What we want is for the people to know and feel that the government is for the people. There are many programs that the people need to know about: education programs, state-owned housing for the less fortunate, and more. The government needs to be closer to the people,” Ruiz told reporters.

He stressed that the public must be made to understand that the government’s priority is their welfare.

“The goal is always clear: precise, informative and educational information so that the people can make informed decisions. Information is necessary because it is very important to the people. The President said that ordinary Filipinos should know about programs that help them — people first before everything else,” he said.

Ruiz also pledged to combat fake news and misinformation, calling them harmful to the public.

“There are so many lies being spread — statements without facts, not based on facts. Ours should be truthful facts. We stand for truth, not lies. We do not tolerate dishonesty,” he said in Filipino.

Joining Ruiz is Atty. Claire Castro, who also took her oath on Monday as PCO undersecretary and Palace press officer.

In a separate briefing, Castro outlined her responsibilities, which include explaining and elaborating on the President’s statements and addressing any gaps in communication.