Who's in charge at Digital 8? SEC records tell the story

Digital 8 Inc. has been under scrutiny for securing high-value government contracts, fueling questions about who actually runs the company, if not newly installed Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Chief Jay Ruiz.

Ruiz was initially described as having ties to Digital 8, though he has stated that he was merely a representative of the company. Documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for 2024 do confirm that Ruiz is not listed as a director or officer of the company providing services to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

With Ruiz’s name absent from the General Information Sheet, DAILY TRIBUNE looked into publicly available information on the five individuals holding leadership positions in Digital 8.

The first is Rommel S. Miranda, who serves as the President of the company. A former police superintendent with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Miranda once headed the Public Information Office of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

In 2012, media reports noted that he was accused in the kidnap-slay of a Chinese-Filipino businesswoman, an allegation he denied. That same year, he was relieved from his police post.

Today, Miranda is pursuing a political path, running for a Manila 2nd District council seat under Isko Moreno in the upcoming May 2025 elections.

Next is Rouelle B. Miranda, identified as the Treasurer in the SEC filings. Beyond sharing the Miranda surname, little else is publicly documented about him. Another Miranda, Clara Therese B. Miranda, holds the post of Secretary. According to her LinkedIn profile, she has taught at Emilio Aguinaldo College, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, and the University of Santo Tomas. She is also listed on LinkedIn as Digital 8’s Administrative Director.

A fourth individual, Bea Louise B. Miranda, serves as a Director. While she appears in company documents, there is no further background information easily available on her.

The final name on Digital 8’s official roster is Christian Puod, the only director who does not share the Miranda surname. A Director’s Certificate dated 2019 shows “Analisa V. Puod” as a witness — someone who once served as Acting General Manager of the government-run People’s Television Network (PTV4). In June 2024, employees at PTV4 reported that she was “ousted,” prompting the PTV Employees Association (PTEA) to release a statement of support for her leadership.

Digital 8 Inc. is a private media company, that has bagged multimillion-peso government contracts. Specifically, it entered into a joint venture (JV) with Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13), a state-run network, securing a contract worth P178.5 million with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in October 2024 for the broadcast production and television transmission of lotto draws and other programs.

Digital 8 also reportedly won a separate P27.552-million contract with PCSO in December 2024 for producing and placing digital promotional videos.

Jay Ruiz, appointed as PCO Secretary on 24 February 2025, has been associated with Digital 8 Inc. through media reports, sparking allegations of a potential conflict of interest.