Itinalaga ni incoming President Rodrigo Duterte ang broadcaster na si Martin Andanar bilang bagong kalihim ng Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO).
Si Andanar ang magsisilbing press secretary at tagapamahala ng media infrastructure assets ng susunod na pamahalaan.
Bago pa ang kanyang appointment, nagsilbing anchor si Martin sa ilang news programs ng TV5.
Siya rin ang kasalukuyang Convergence Creative Marketing Manager ng TV5 at head ng video news portal na News5 Everywhere.
Sa panayam ni Erwin Tulfo, para sa Aksyon Prime ng TV5, sinabi ni Martin na nag-apply siya sa naturang ahensiya ngunit hindi bilang kalihim ng PCCO.
Kaya laking gulat niyang siya ang napili ni Duterte na mamuno rito.
Lahad ni Martin, “I drafted a national communications strategy, tapos ipinaliwanag ko rin sa kanila kung ano yung set-up ngayon because wala pang five minutes ang usapan namin ni Presidente.
“Sabi niya, ‘Sige, diyan ka. Ikaw ang secretary diyan.’
“Nagulat ako kasi hindi ko in-expect na dun ako nilalagay.”
Sa lagpas dalawang dekada na karanasan niya bilang media practitioner, tututukan daw ni Andanar ang pagpapalakas ng government-owned TV station na PTV4.
“When we will see the again the golden age of Channel 4? Noong '80s na halos doon lahat nanonood, 'no.
“So, ibabalik natin ‘yan at sisikapin natin, and I appeal for the support of the public.”
DEALING WITH THE MEDIA. Dagdag pa sa ulat, malaking hamon daw para kay Martin ang mga kontrobersiyal na pahayag ng incoming president tungkol sa media.
Sabi niya, “I think it's not really a crisis. It's more of a media relations issue.
"And issues can be resolved, issues can be fixed.
"And sinabi nga ng president kagabi na, 'By July 1, expect me to be different, act like a president.'
“I guess, I’ll be the one to make sure that the president becomes really close to the media, especially the media in Metro Manila na medyo hindi natutuwa.”
LONG AND ROUGH ROAD AHEAD. Sa kanya namang post sa Facebook nitong nakaraang June 5, sinabi ni Martin na alam niyang mahirap ang kanyang magiging trabaho bilang press secretary pero tinanggap niya ang hamon nang buong puso.
“The task given to me by President Rody Duterte, to bring our government media agencies back to its good old glory days, is colossal.
“This requires a clear vision, 100% dedication, extraordinary capacity, political will and the grit to fight inefficiencies caused by corruption.
"Difficult as it may be, I wholeheartedly accepted the challenge to serve our 16th President and our Country.
"Now, I'm in the process of hiring the best, the brightest and the boldest. My friends, I ask for your fervent prayers and support because the road ahead will be long and rough.
"Thank you President Digong for the full trust and confidence. It is truly an honor to be in your cabinet.
"Like what President Digong always says again and again, "STOP". Yes I will do everything to STOP corruption at the Presidential Communication and Operations Office. That's my commitment."
Kabilang sa mga gagawing proyekto ni Martin sa PCOO ay ang pagkakaroon ng weekly tabloid, website na maglalaman ng mga balita tungkol sa Duterte administration, at pag-ere nationwide ng weekly TV show ni Duterte sa Davao na Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.