Lino Cayetano Named New PCO Chief

SINGAPORE — The government’s lead communication arm will undergo yet another leadership change, days after the shakeup at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Oct. 11, President Marcos revealed that Lino Cayetano, the general manager of state-run People’s Television Network, would replace Dave Gomez as secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Marcos said Gomez, a former corporate communications executive, was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments.

“I guess immediately...the ad interim will take his (Gomez) place... That’s more or less the situation,” the President said.

“(The leadership change will take effect) when we get back (to the Philippines)... It’s really just a question of formalizing everything,” he added.

Cayetano will be the sixth chief of the top government communication arm under Marcos.

Aside from Gomez, the former chiefs of the agency under the present administration were lawyer and vlogger Trixie Angeles; Cheloy Garafil, now the secretary general of the House of Representatives; veteran broadcaster Cesar Chavez and former television reporter Jay Ruiz.

Cayetano was appointed PTV general manager last June. 

He was formerly the 2nd district representative of Taguig during the 13th Congress and was the city’s former mayor. He is the younger brother of Senators Alan and Pia Cayetano, both critics of the Marcos administration.

The Cayetano brothers have had a public falling out, as the senator backed the candidacy of Lino’s opponent, incumbent Taguig 1st district Rep. Ading Cruz, during the 2025 polls. The younger Cayetano lost his congressional bid during the election.

The incoming communications secretary has directed shows for major Philippine television networks and is the co-founder of Rein Entertainment.

Ghost connectivity projects?

Marcos also confirmed that Aguda has stepped down as chief of the DICT as revealed Saturday, Oct. 10, by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.

“I think that is because of the investigation that he’s (ombudsman) conducting. It’s related, I think, to the progress of the investigation that ...he is conducting on the ghost connectivity projects,” the Chief Executive said.

Remulla’s office is probing an alleged “ghost internet” scheme involving DICT projects, including claims about non-operational sites and the delivery of substandard equipment and services.

Marcos also denied rumors that Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon would be returning to the transportation department.

“We can still change. But as we sit here together today, no, he’s (Dizon) not moving.”