President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed veteran journalist Jose A. Torres Jr. as the newest Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil has administered the oath-taking of Torres at the PIA Auditorium on Monday, May 29, 2023.
“It is both an honor and privilege to have been chosen to serve this organization. I would like to extend my gratitude to His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for giving me an opportunity to contribute my expertise in the country,” according to Torres.
Torres said this is a “call to service and an order to serve and opportunity to offer one’s talent.” He expressed his gratitude to Sec. Garafil and promised to give his best to fulfill his new mission.
“To everyone especially my new family at the PIA, please know that I am here to listen. I will actively engage in dialogue particularly with our front liners in the provinces and regions. However, I will also be steadfast and stringent in implementing the organization’s mandate, continue to advance professionalism in service, and uphold its integrity and effectively serve our audience, the Filipino people,” said Torres.
Torres urged everyone in PIA to go the extra mile with him and embrace servant leadership for the betterment of the country and its people.
For her part, Garafil said: “When EO 16 was signed and issued by the President, natuwa kami kasi for the last couple of years ang PIA was under the Office of the President and for me personally, I think dapat ang PIA should be under the PCO kasi ang PCO ang main communicator ng ating administration. I look forward to working with all of you.”
Garafil said her office will extend full support to PIA. “Kami naman ay madaling kausapin , whatever support you need, sa abot ng aming makakaya, we’ll give you, ” she said.