QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- Renowned journalist, Jose A. Torres Jr. took his oath of office as the newest Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General in a ceremony administered by Presidential Communications Office Secretary Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil. The event was held at the PIA Auditorium on Monday, 29 May 2023.
PIA employees and officials all over the country witnessed the ceremony with distinguished guests from PCO and from the media. Family and friends of DG Torres were also present during the event.
In this formal event, outgoing Director-General Ramon Lee Cualoping III properly turned over his authority to him. In his speech, DG Cualoping expressed his gratefulness for the opportunity to serve and lead the agency.
“Today, I am all smiles, we are all smiling, I am very grateful. I am ending my tenure as PIA director-general with a grateful heart,” outgoing DG Cualoping said.
He also thanked former PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar for the mentorship and the friendship. He said he is most grateful to former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for having his back all the time and for inspiring him to be a strong leader. He then wishes the new PIA chief all the best as he leads the agency to greater heights.
“To the 21st Director General Joe Torres, I wish you all the best, may you succeed where I failed. May you triumph where I was defeated. May you take PIA to greater heights. To my friends in PIA, thank you for the distinct honor of serving alongside all of you. May all of you have a harmonious and blissful life ahead,” DG Cualoping concluded.
Secretary Garafil introduced DG Torres and pleased with the fact that PIA is once again put under PCO.
“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,” Secretary Garafil said.
She also extended the full support of her office to PIA.
“Kami naman ay madaling kausapin , whatever support you need, sa abot ng aming makakaya, we’ll give you, ” she said.
Meanwhile, DG Torres delivered his speech after taking his oath.
“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,” DG Torres said.
The PIA Chief said being appointed 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,” the new PIA Chief said.
DG 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. (ARB, PIA-CPSD)
