Photo credit: Pia Cayetano

Senator Pia S. Cayetano has voiced her opposition to the appointment of Mr. Dave Gomez as Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, citing serious concerns over his longstanding ties to the tobacco industry.

“I support the call of our health and child rights advocates in opposing this appointment,” the senator stated, emphasizing that such a decision sends a troubling message—particularly to the youth, who remain among the most vulnerable to the influence of tobacco and vape products.

Senator Cayetano, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Health and Demography for nearly a decade and currently leads the Blue Ribbon Committee, stressed that high-ranking government officials must demonstrate independence and integrity. “A person in this role must be able to hold industries accountable when their actions harm public welfare. That independence is difficult to maintain when close ties exist with the very industries under scrutiny,” she warned.

Drawing from her years of work on public health policy, Cayetano expressed concern that hard-won progress could be undermined by decisions that allow industry influence to creep into policymaking. “We’ve fought long and hard to pass laws that safeguard 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,” she said.

The senator concluded with a reminder of the government’s core responsibility: to protect the next generation. “That begins with ensuring that our institutions remain free from the influence of industries that profit from harm,” she said. “Our duty is clear—and we must not falter.”

Senator Cayetano’s statement is a call for vigilance, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the public good over private interests.