Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro has responded to former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s recent comments about government spokespeople, arguing that their role is to relay information, not to sell anything.
Roque previously likened government spokespeople to salespeople, saying that no matter how skilled a spokesperson is, it would still be difficult to promote an unpopular leader or policy.
Castro disagreed, explaining that government spokespersons are not tasked with selling but with informing the public about programs and initiatives. She added that while salespeople may sometimes use exaggerated claims to persuade buyers, spokespersons should focus on facts.
However, Castro acknowledged that Roque had a point, noting that it is indeed challenging to represent a public figure with a negative reputation. She also pointed out that a spokesperson’s job becomes even more difficult when they are expected to justify or explain controversial remarks—especially when officials often dismiss their own statements as jokes.
