Martín Andanar


José Ruperto Martín Marfori Andanar is a former Filipino television news personality and news anchor, radio commentator, podcaster, audio blogger and voice-over artist who last worked for News5. He is currently the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office of the Philippines under the Duterte administration.
Andanar was the head of News5 Everywhere, the online news video and audio portal of TV5, formerly anchored Aksyon sa Umaga and Punto Asintado on Radyo5 92.3 News FM and AksyonTV, sister stations of TV5. He was also a voice-over talent of News5, AksyonTV, and Radyo5 92.3 News FM.
In June 2016, it was announced that Andanar will be joining President Rodrigo Duterte's administration as the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, replacing Sonny Coloma. He was tasked with supervising both the operations of the government's news and information agencies.

Personal life

Andanar lives with his wife, Alelee Andanar and two kids in Muntinlupa.

Education

Martin spent his high school years in Cagayan de Oro and Manila. After a year in University of the Philippines-Los Baños, he moved to Australia with his mother where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Social and Political Studies & Film and Media Studies at the Federation University in Australia.
Andanar completed his Master in Entrepreneurship at the Asian Institute of Management in 2007.
In 2008, along with 30 Filipino Youth Leaders, the US State Department sent Andanar to Northern Illinois University for an International Visitors Leadership Fellowship Program. In June 2009, he went to Georgetown University in Washington, DC to attend an Executive Course in Public & Non Profit Management. He also completed a Senior Executive Fellows Program at the Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University in March 2010.
Andanar attended courses on Communications in Public Policy Delivery and Countering Violent Extremism at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. As well as the FB News Literacy and APAC news literary executive course at the Hong Kong University. He also pursued further doctorate studies on Public Administration at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

Broadcasting career

Andanar was first worked for GMA News and Public Affairs as an anchor for the weekend edition of GMA Network News and first hosted Unang Hirit from 2000 to 2002, when he was transferred to the National Broadcasting Network as anchor of Teledyaryo from 2002 until 2004, when he was transferred again to ABC/TV5's news division as anchor for Big News from 2004 to 2006, Sentro from 2006 to 2008, , Aksyon Weekend, Aksyon JournalisMO, Sapul sa Singko, Good Morning Club, Andar ng mga Balita, Punto Asintado and Aksyon sa Umaga.
He also hosted the documentary and public affairs shows such as S.O.S.: Stories of Survival, Pulis! Pulis!, Crime Klasik and Dokumentado on ABC/TV5/AksyonTV.

Government career

Martin Andanar was appointed Secretary for the Presidential Communications Operations Office by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 30, 2016. The Commission on Appointments confirmed his appointment on October 12, 2016.
As PCOO Secretary, Andanar spearheaded the formulation of a National Communications Strategy that focused the rehabilitation of existing government media and communications resources, and the development of new platforms for communicating and engaging with the public. Andanar was tasked with supervising both the operations of the government's news and information agencies, which includes the Philippine Information Agency, Philippine News Agency, People's Television Network, Philippine Broadcasting Service-Bureau of Broadcast Services, Bureau of Communications Services, National Printing Office, APO Production Unit, Radio Philippines Network, and Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation.
Among the reforms made were the use of fiber optic Internet connection and a new website design, leading to higher visits. The PNA also established a three-layer editorial process to ensure the quality of content. Andanar's efforts to revitalize government media services earned the adulation of Senator JV Ejercito.

Presidential Task Force on Media Security

Andanar also supervises the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, which was formed in October 2016 after President Duterte asked for the creation of a special agency to protect media workers. As part of the agency's efforts, Andanar in 2018 presented the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas with the Handbook on Personal Security Measures for Media Practitioners, a document that outlines how media workers may enlist government protection services against threats to their life and security. In December 2018, the PTFoMS filed murder charges against suspects in the killing of Albay radio personality Joey Llana, who was killed in June the same year. Reporters Without Borders also delisted the Philippines from its list of most dangerous countries for journalists in December 2018, which Andanar attributed to President Duterte's concern for journalists. The task force's creation and Andanar's efforts in managing it received praise from European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen.

Dutertenomics

is one of the flagship communication programs of the PCOO. It refers to the socioeconomic policies of President Rodrigo Duterte, which includes the development of infrastructure and industries. It was launched on April 18, 2017 by the Department of Finance and the Presidential Communications Operations Office in a forum attended by local and international media, with discussions focused on President Duterte's 10-point socioeconomic reform agenda and its primary objective of accelerating poverty reduction and transforming the Philippines into a high middle-income economy by 2022.
It has since been replicated in similar communications roadshows in Cambodia during the 2017 World Economic Forum on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and at the sidelines of the 2017 One Belt One Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China.

Interim Social Media Practitioner Accreditation

On August 8, 2017, Andanar signed department order no. 15 entitled “Interim Social Media Practitioner Accreditation.” The department order stipulates that before social media publishers and bloggers could cover Presidential and Malacanang events, they should be at least 18 years old with at least 5,000 followers to cover President Duterte. Andanar states that this order would enforce responsible journalism ethics on those who publish on social media and the bloggers.

Government Satellite Network

Andanar spearheaded creation of the Government Satellite Network, which can transmit “video, image, audio and data content,” and provide “two way or multiple 4k tele-conference communication, internet delivery capability and multiple tv channels,” throughout the Philippines islands using advanced satellite and IPTV technology.
Andanar also announced that the People's Television Network Inc. will have increased transmission capacity to reach far-off areas with the help of the Integrated Services Digital Broadcast – Terrestrial system from Japan. He also said that 2023 is the target for switch-off of all analog broadcasts in the country.

Emergency Warning Broadcast System

The Emergency Warning Broadcast System is the first-ever early civil defense warning system for natural disasters in the Philippines, implemented on March 10, 2018. According to Andanar, the EWBS will utilize the government's broadcast channel, PTV to provide early warning during times of disasters. As well as providing updates on relief efforts to the affected communities.

Provincial Communications Officers’ Network

The Provincial Communications Officers Network is a project of the Presidential Communications Operations Office under Secretary Martin Andanar to “ensure a coherent and efficient flow of information particularly from the Office of the President down to the national government agencies, local government units and academe“ by providing a platform where provincial information officers can access information direct from Malacañan and distributed to their respective localities
The PCO Net also served as the foundation for the first National Information Convention, a gathering of one thousand five hundred government information officers, as well as “experts in the communication field, both government and non-government, digital and traditional.“ The three-day event was held from February 19 to 21 in Davao City. The convention is part of the PCOO's effort to give people a better appreciation and understanding of government programs and mechanisms so that “they can better participate in nation-building and development, acquire insights on best practices in public advocacy and social mobilization, and improve public-private partnership in development communication.”

Meeting with Maguindanao Massacre Survivors

In November 2018, Andanar and PCOO Undersecretary Joel Egco met with survivors of victims of the Maguindanao massacre, including clan leader Esmael Mangudadatu, and told them that a guilty verdict against suspects is expected to be served in early 2019. Andanar and his staff also visited the site of the massacre itself, and is the first ever presidential communications staff member to visit the massacre memorial.

Office of Global Media Affairs

Under Andanar, the PCOO created the Office of Global Media Affairs in November 2018 in order to help bridge Philippine government media with the international community. The OGMA addresses the concerns or questions of foreign correspondents not in the Philippines and in other parts of the world. Andanar says the agency will form a press attaché division, members of which will be sent to other countries as Philippine government media representatives. The PCOO also has an International Press Center that accredits foreign journalists covering the Philippines.

Partnership with Myanmar

The Philippine and Myanmarese governments in January 2019 signed a memorandum of understanding to establish stronger mechanisms for information sharing and media cooperation. Andanar said both countries can promote culture, arts, education, tourism or "anything that will benefit the two states" through information sharing.

Public Briefing: #LagingHandaPH

Andanar anchored Public Briefing: #LagingHandaPH, a press briefing for the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines produced by PCOO and aired on PTV, IBC, Radyo Pilipinas 1 and other radio and television stations across the Philippines.

Criticisms

Andanar and his team are widely criticized by media and activists for being purveyors of fake news and propaganda.

Awards and recognitions

Andanar received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Federation University in Australia in 2017. The National Press Club in October 2018 honored Andanar with lifetime membership and a plaque of appreciation in recognition of his efforts to protect journalists and increase transparency and accountability in governance. Among other things that Andanar worked for was a discount for NPC members at the Chinese General Hospital.
In November 2018, he was made an honorary member of the Cagayan De Oro Press Club, the oldest press club in the Philippines.

Presidential Citation

Andanar received a Presidential Citation from President Duterte in December 2018 that commended the PCOO's work in the successful chairmanship of the Philippines for Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in 2017. The awarding was held at the Heroes' Hall in Malacanang Palace. Andanar dedicated the honor for the award to his colleagues at the agency. With him to receive the award was Rhea Cy, Officer-In-Charge of the Planning and Communication Research Division of the Philippine Information Agency.

2019 Awards

The Daily Tribune awarded Andanar the Best Media Personality of 2018 in January 2019, recognizing his contribution to promoting the welfare and safety of media workers in the country through the creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.
The National Consumers Affairs Foundation recognized Andanar in January 2019 as an outstanding media icon and broadcaster during its People's Choice Awards ceremony, held jointly with the Dangal ng Bayan Awards in Quezon City.
The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission in March 2019 commended Andanar for his "valuable contribution and unfailing assistance to the PACC in the pursuit of its mandate to weed out corruption".
Andanar was recognized as an outstanding Mindanaonon during the 1st Mindanao Governance and Leadership Excellence Awards held at Limketkai Luxe Hotel in March 2019, for having significantly improved the People's Television Network, Radyo ng Bayan, Radio-Television Malacañang and Philippine News Agency in less than two years.
In August 2019, the Rotary Club of Metro Surigao recognized him as among the outstanding Surigaonons in the field of government service. The Rotary Outstanding Surigaonon Award award is the most prestigious award in Surigao del Norte, as it recognizes individuals and institutions that go beyond oneself, create a real difference, and touch the lives of many. In his acceptance speech Andanar said, "There is a volume of grateful emotions that are contained in the words, 'Thank you.' Let me summarize them by acknowledging that the Rotary Outstanding Surigaonon Award includes the people I am honored and privileged to serve,"
On September 25, 2019, The Philippine Cancer Society Inc. named Andanar the "Most Effective Communicator" for his support of the organization's cause. The PCSI in 2017 recognized Andanar as among their “men of extraordinary influence.”
On November 29, 2019, Andanar received the Outstanding Alumnus Award for Professional Service in Communication from the Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, for his “initiative in media digitalization, making information and news communication reach a wide range people in the country, keeping them updated and aware of developments nationally and internationally."