PROVIDING FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON AND THE TRANSFER OF ITS FUNCTIONS TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

WHEREAS, Memorandum Order No. 57, series of 1999 created the Office
of the Presidential Spokesperson in the Office of the President;

WHEREAS, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson is mandated to
provide the mechanism for a relevant and effective information and
communication management program that will present the activities,
policies and directions of the Presidency;

WHEREAS, the Office of the Press Secretary serves as a conduit in
informing the Filipino people of the affairs and functions of the
President of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, there is a need to rationalize and enhance the coordination
and monitoring of the above activities and concerns and to further
streamline the functions and improve the procedures within the Office of
the President;

WHEREAS, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize
his office pursuant to the Revised Administrative Code of 1997 (Sec. 31,
Chapter 10).

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the
Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by
law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1.       Abolishing the Office of Presidential
Spokesperson and Transferring its Functions to the Office of the Press
Secretary . — The Office of the Presidential Spokesperson is hereby
abolished and its functions as provided in Memorandum Order No. 57,
series of 1999, shall be performed by the Press Secretary. These
functions include the following:

1.1    Act as the official spokesperson of the President;

1.2    Monitor and evaluate developments affecting the
Presidency and submit draft Presidential statements on issues emanating
therefrom;

1.3    Coordinate with the Office of the President, the Office
of the Executive Secretary, and the Presidential Management Staff and
other concerned government agencies in addressing public issues
affecting the Presidency; and

1.4    Undertake other functions that may be deemed necessary by the President.

SECTION 2.       Repealing Clause . — All issuances,
orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Memorandum Order are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 3.       Effectivity . — This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 24 Apr. 2000

BY THE PRESIDENT:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary