SCUTTLEBUTT

Communication breakdown

A great irony is being rewarded for failing to do what you’re expected to do.

After a slight delay, the head of the government’s top communication arm has been reappointed after he was earlier bypassed by the powerful Commission on Appointments.

At the same time, this person’s top lieutenant has reportedly left due to “untenable conditions” in the office they sought to rebuild.

All of this happened after the courtesy resignations of 17 subordinates were accepted for the government revamp. Among the axed individuals were directors, assistant secretaries, and undersecretaries.

Previous appointees in the agency were also replaced en masse.

The problem, however, remains and the agency appears to be more unstable than ever. People there come and go and the vicious cycle continues.

Sought for a quick comment, they remain quiet, oftentimes ignoring queries that have to be repeated at press briefings — and only then do they respond.

Even with the reappointment, the leadership of the agency remains uncertain.

For an agency led by communicators, one can only imagine how effective messaging has been lost due to the rigodon that has been happening.