FACT: Atty. Claire Castro submits courtesy resignation letter after PCO head revamp

A Facebook post from Dee NotKnow claims that Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro has submitted her courtesy resignation letter for the post.

CLAIM

The post claims that Castro has submitted her courtesy resignation letter as the PCO undersecretary. 

RATING: FACT

CONCLUSION

While the claim was initially deemed false since it was posted on October 19, Castro has actually officially submitted her courtesy resignation, along with other PCO officials, but will still remain in her post.

THE FACTS

• Castro serves in a concurrent capacity as a Palace Press Officer and the undersecretary of PCO since February 2025.
• Castro previously submitted a courtesy resignation letter last July 2025 when then-PCO secretary Dave Gomez directed all then-PCO officials at the time to file their letters after assuming the post. Courtesy resignation letters are usually filed when there are changes in an office or agency’s leadership.
• Gomez has declined to accept Castro’s resignation letter, retaining the attorney’s undersecretary post at PCO.
• Gomez held the position in an acting capacity from July 2025 until October 10, 2026. He was replaced by former Taguig City mayor Lino Cayetano in the position, holding the post since October 13.
• Castro personally dismissed the claims last October 19 through a Viber message sent to The Manila Times, saying “no” to whether she has submitted a courtesy resignation letter or not.
• However, Castro has then officially submitted her courtesy resignation, along with other PCO officials, according to the newly-appointed PCO secretary Cayetano last October 23. The secretary, nevertheless, affirmed that Castro will remain in her undersecretary seat, describing the attorney as “a treasure”.

THE BOTTOMLINE

Atty. Claire Castro will remain as the PCO Undersecretary under the new leadership of Secretary Lino Cayetano.