MANILA, Philippines - First lesson in dealing with the media: Be truthful.
Members of the Cabinet of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Monday confirmed that they will undergo seminars on how to better deal with the media as they adapt to their new work as the country's highest appointive officials.
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Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the training on how to handle the media was already planned during their first Cabinet meeting last Wednesday. He said the seminars are not in reaction to their run-ins with some reporters last week.
Lacierda said the Cabinet officials will go to the media training seminars by batches. He said he is part of the first batch, scheduled on Wednesday.
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“By batches, because you cannot all go to a seminar. As far as I was made to understand, it’s three secretaries per session. Just one session,” Lacierda told reporters. The President's spokesman said he also underwent a media training seminar during the Liberal Party campaign for Aquino.
“The one I underwent was really how to answer questions, how to phrase your answers, and also how to comport yourself especially when confronted with difficult questions. It’s the typical how to handle, how to deal with media,” he said.
While waiting for the training, Lacierda had one piece of advice for the new Cabinet officials when facing the media. “Just answer the questions as truthfully and make yourselves available, unlike me, haha,” he said, jokingly.
Lacierda again apologized to the media for not answering all their requests for interviews. He said at least reporter left in a huff and complained of not having a story because Lacierda did not answer his calls.
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Lacierda said he will soon get deputy spokespersons who can answer questions of reporters if he is unavailable.
“I promise to be available everybody. It is really a shock to me. Pati Sunday, may Malacañang press corps," he said. Lacierda and Luistro incidents
Last Thursday, Malacañang reporters were incensed after Lacierda missed a scheduled press conference in the presidential Palace.
Journalists were waiting for him for hours for his reaction regarding the administration’s first, but controversial, memorandum circular. He was later seen being interviewed on ANC.
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Lacierda had already apologized for his gaffe.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro, meanwhile, blamed the media for adding fuel to the fire between the government and the Catholic Church regarding the sex education program.
Aquino has apologized to the media and said the 2 men do not have any prior experience on how to deal when being grilled with controversial questions.