Philippines: Controversy over the appointment of Dave Gomez, head of communications for the executive branch

Public health organizations, parliamentarians, and civil society actors are expressing serious concerns about the appointment of Dave Gomez, a former Philip Morris executive, to head the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). This decision raises major questions about the independence of government communications, particularly on issues related to public health and tobacco control.

Philip Morris alum appointed to presidential communications

On July 11, 2025, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the appointment of Dave Gomez as the new secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the central communications body for the executive branch. A former director of global communications for Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, Dave Gomez has also worked in public relations for other major private companies. This appointment immediately sparked controversy.

Opponents point to his close ties to the tobacco industry, denouncing a choice incompatible with the administration's missions, particularly regarding the prevention of non-communicable diseases. The PCO is indeed responsible for coordinating government communications, including public awareness campaigns on health issues. However, the tobacco industry is regularly accused of strategies aimed at delaying or weakening public health policies, particularly those related to the regulation of tobacco and nicotine products.

Indictment of Senator Pia Cayetano and NGOs

Among the first figures to voice their opposition was Senator Pia Cayetano, a longtime advocate for public health policy and tobacco control. She strongly criticized the appointment of Dave Gomez, which she described as a "dangerous conflict of interest," emphasizing that such a profile cannot credibly represent the government's voice on such sensitive issues.

“How can the government run credible campaigns against smoking and vaping when the person in charge of its communications worked for the industry we are trying to regulate?” she told the local press[1].

The senator has received support from numerous civil society organizations, including HealthJustice Philippines, the Medical Action Group, the Youth for Mental Health Coalition, and the Child Rights Network. All of them are calling on the Commission on Appointments not to confirm this appointment, which they consider incompatible with the ethics of public service.

In a joint statement, a coalition of ten health and rights NGOs called for the immediate withdrawal of this designation.

"Entrusting the reins of government communications to someone who has worked for years for such a harmful industry is to compromise the very foundations of public service." ", they indicate in their press release.

They denounce a direct threat to the independence of public discourse and recall that the tobacco industry is recognized as having interests fundamentally opposed to those of public health.[2]This recognition is included in one of the international texts adopted at the conference of the parties to the WHO treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including by the Philippines.

They fear that the PCO, under this leadership, will no longer have the capacity to deliver clear and independent prevention messages, particularly to young people, who are a prime target for tobacco and vaping industry marketing strategies. This decision comes as the Philippines recently strengthened its regulatory framework for vaping products and reaffirmed its commitment to complying with the obligations of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including the need to protect public policies from industry influence.

A context marked by growing interference from the tobacco industry

The controversy is part of a broader climate of concern over the growing influence of the tobacco industry in the Philippines.

Nicotine product promotions, including free distributions in bars and nightclubs, have been documented, deliberately targeting young adults in a festive and poorly regulated setting.[3].

Moreover, in recent months, several events have highlighted the ongoing links between state officials and corporate interests. In May 2024, the appointment of a controversial Filipino representative to the presidency of the 77th World Health Assembly[4] had provoked strong reactions, due to its alleged proximity to the tobacco industry. Finally, Philippine delegations were cited among the actors who had slowed down the WHO international negotiations on tobacco control[5]The Gomez affair thus reinforces fears of an institutional weakening in the implementation of the country's international commitments in matters of public health.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1] Hannah L. Torregoza, Pia Cayetano joins groups rejecting Gomez appointment as PCO secretary, Manila Bulletin, published July 11, 2025, accessed the same day [2] Cayetano, CSOs opposes Dave Gomez appointment at PCO, Manila Standard, published July 11, 2025, accessed the same day [3] Tobacco-free generation, Philippines: Free distribution of nicotine products in bars and nightclubs, published April 20, 2025, accessed July 11, 2025 [4] Tobacco-free generation, Controversy surrounding the nomination of the Philippines as President of the World Health Assembly, published April 15, 2025, accessed July 11, 2025 [5] Tobacco-free generation, Delegations implicated in blocking WHO international negotiations, published May 12, 2025, accessed July 11, 2025 National Committee Against Smoking |