KINUWESTYON ni Senador Pia Cayetano ang pagkakatalaga sa dating journalist na si Dave Gomez bilang bagong kalihim ng Presidential Communications Office dahil sa koneksyon nito sa tobacco industry.
Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ni Cayetano na ang gaya ni Gomez na nagtrabaho para sa isang manufacturer ng tobacco ay walang puwang para sa isang mataas na posisyon sa pamahalaan.
“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,” ayon sa senador sa kanyang social media post.
Una na ring kinuwestyon ng ilang health groups at advocates ang pagkakatalaga ni Gomez dahil sa koneksyon nito sa malaking tobacco firm.
“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?
“As the former Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography for nine years, and as Chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, I’ve seen firsthand how public health laws can be compromised by vested interests. I remain committed to fighting for accountability, transparency, and policies that prioritize the well-being of our people above all else.
“We’ve worked hard to build policies that protect the health of every Filipino family. These gains must not be reversed by decisions that open the door to industry interference, or worse, normalize it.
“Let us never forget: we are duty-bound to protect the next generation! That begins with keeping our institutions free from the influence of industries that profit from harm,” anya pa.
Pinalitan ni Gomez sa PCO ang dating broadcaster na si Jay Ruiz.
