Sen. Pia Cayetano has joined health and child rights advocates in opposing the appointment of new Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez due to his ties to the tobacco industry. “Appointing someone with longstanding ties to the tobacco industry to a top communications post sends the wrong message, especially to our youth, who remain the most vulnerable to the harmful influence of tobacco and vape products,” said Cayetano in a statement on Thursday. “A person holding such a high-level position should have the independence to call out industries that act in ways harmful to our people. How can this be done if he has close ties with the very industry in question?” she asked. Several groups opposing the appointment of the new PCO chief include the Medical Action Group, Child Rights Network, Psoriasis Philippines, Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA), HPA – Youth Network, Social Watch Philippines, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, Youth for Mental Health Coalition, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation Inc., and HealthJustice Philippines.
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