Manila: Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez has retained Undersecretary Claire Castro as Palace Press Officer, two weeks after she submitted her courtesy resignation as part of the agency's recalibration. 'Yes, this is confirmed,' Gomez told reporters Wednesday, when asked about reports that Castro will remain in her post. 'She is doing a fine job!' he added.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PCO chief said there are no new appointees in the agency so far. With her retention, Castro, a lawyer and podcaster, will continue to lead Palace media briefings and release official statements on presidential engagements, policies, and positions.

Her retention comes in the wake of Gomez's memorandum on his first day in office, directing all PCO political appointees to file their unqualified courtesy resignations by July 18, as part of realignment efforts under his administration. Castro was appointed to her post in February, along with then PCO acting Secretary Jay Ruiz, who was replaced by Gomez early July.