PRESIDENTIAL Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Jay Ruiz yesterday called for the replacement of a journalist covering President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Malacanang-related activities for alleged violation of media protocols.
In a press release, Ruiz said Net 25 reporter Eden Santos violated pre-approved media protocols during an event of the President in Tarlac last June 25, which is considered “not a minor lapse, but a serious disruption that endangered the President’s security and undermined the order of the event.”
Ruiz said that was not the first time that Santos violated media protocols, citing her failure to meet deadlines for enlisting for presidential coverage several times as an example.
He said her attention had been called out several times in which she had been reminded “to comply with the standard process, which she had failed to follow.”
“Covering the President of the Republic is not an ordinary beat. It demands discipline, decorum, and adherence to established security protocols—not only out of respect for the Office but for the personal safety of the Chief Executive and everyone on site,” Ruiz said.
He also affirmed an earlier decision of the Media Accreditation and Relations Office (MARO), which sought to have Santos replaced.
Assistant Secretary for MARO Erel Cabatbat wrote Net25 last week to seek the replacement of its Malacanang-assigned reporter for the alleged violation.
The MPC, in a statement last Friday, said it had already written to the PCO to express its “grave concern” over the decision to seek the replacement of Santos and question the alleged “protocol breach” as the basis.
It also opposed such a course of action and said the decision to take action on Santos should be left to Net 25 management.
“While the officers recognize the need to ensure the President’s safety and well-being, it should never be at the expense of the freedom of the press to tell stories that go beyond photo opportunities, press releases and rehearsed sound bites. The officers are hopeful that the matter will be resolved in a manner that strikes a healthy balance between ensuring the President’s safety and upholding a free press,” the MPC said.
“Although the government and the media have clashing objectives and despite the fact that journalists have different ways of performing their roles, all our decisions should be guided by rationality. Prudence should always be our watchword,” it added.
Ruiz said a video footage during the Tarlac event showed that Santos left the designated media area and went toward the President without clearance, adding that a uniformed security personnel “was forced to immediately block her, reacting instinctively to a perceived security breach.”
Ruiz said Santos’ action prompted other journalists to follow, “escalating the situation and placing additional strain on the Presidential Security Team.”
“This chain reaction unnecessarily disrupted the flow of the event and created a bad precedent that, if unaddressed, risks eroding the discipline that has long governed Palace coverage,” he added.
Ruiz said the request for a replacement reporter is neither personal nor punitive on the part of PCO.
“Let me emphasize: this is not about silencing Ms. Santos or sanctioning her network. This is a matter of accountability for a breach of protocol. Malacañang credentials are privileges, not entitlements,” he said.
He added that Net 25, in response to the PCO position, had affirmed to “adhere to protocols in covering the President” and “abide by the policy imposed for the coverage.”
