When entertainment editor Gie Trillana requested me to accompany her to Albert Figueras’ Couture (atelier located at Rizal Village 1129 Antipolo, Makati City), my answer to her was, of course, an affirmative.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) acting Secretary Dave Gomez has set 18 July 2025 as the deadline for officials under his department to submit “unqualified courtesy resignations.”

This move initiates a “performance audit” of the agency, Gomez confirmed Wednesday.

To recall, Gomez issued a memorandum to all PCO staff on 14 July, saying the resignations would give him “a free hand to perform his duties and responsibilities.”

“Yes. Just your standard transition practice while I do the performance audit,” Gomez told Palace reporters.

Officials asked to tender their resignations include those holding the ranks of undersecretary, assistant secretary and director within the PCO, as well as heads of agencies and political appointees in the PCO’s attached agencies.

While the audit is underway, PCO officials are directed to continue their work and perform their usual duties, “subject to any modification that the new leadership of PCO may deem proper to adopt in the meantime.”

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stated she would comply with the directive. Castro, who joined the PCO in February after former journalist Jay Ruiz assumed the agency’s top role, explained that Gomez should be given “leeway” to choose his team.

“It would be better if he knew someone who could serve the people,” Castro said in a radio interview Wednesday.

Gomez is the fifth PCO secretary of the Marcos administration, succeeding Ruiz, who was appointed to the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan. Other previous secretaries include Cesar Chavez, Cheloy Garafil — who now serves as MECO chair — and Trixie Cruz-Angeles.