Martin Andanar

Andanar spearheaded creation of the Government Satellite Network (GSN), 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. (PTNI) will have increased transmission capacity to reach far-off areas with the help of the Integrated Services Digital Broadcast – Terrestrial (ISDB-T) system from Japan. He also said that 2023 is the target for switch-off of all analog broadcasts in the country.

In March 2022, Andanar was named acting presidential spokesperson after former Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles was appointed as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission.

The  Visayas Visayas Media Hub will soon rise at the Subangdaku Wireless DICT lot – Innovation Hub Zone in Mandaue City after Congress  approved the inclusion of the P300 million budget for its construction for the year 2022.

On March 7, 2022, Andanar was appointed as acting Presidential Spokesperson following the appointment of former Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles as chairman of the Civil Service Commission.

"Kung ano man ang atas sa atin ni Pangulong Duterte ay gawin natin (We should do what President Duterte asked us to do our work) because we signed up for his job. It's an honor to serve the President in his remaining days in office." Andanar mentioned as he gave his first public briefing on March 8, 2022, at 12noon.

It was soft launched in December 2020 and had its inauguration and official first broadcast through PTV-4 on March 18, 2021.

In January 2021, around 218 congressmen voted in favor of the passage of House Bill 8140 or the proposed Media Workers’ Welfare on its third and final reading at the House of Representatives.

Andanar received a “Media Hero of the Year” Award in the prestigious 2021 Asia Pacific Stevie® Awards for his innovations in PCOO, and proactive daily delivery of news and information to the Filipino public. It was made possible by Laging Handa Dokyu, Network Briefing News and Public Briefing #LagingHandaPH programs even at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with these are other programs delivering to the public straight news and information about the coronavirus.

The EspiCom group has hailed Andanar as a recipient of the Outstanding Filipino Luminary Award for National Government Service in 2021.

In 2020, the Philippines has finally been out of the top five worst countries for journalists and was declared the “biggest mover” after moving to seventh place in the Committee to Protect Journalists' (CPJ) Global Impunity Index (GII) report published on October 28. The CPJ report was welcomed further by PTFoMS, under the supervision of Andanar as "an incontrovertible demonstration and validation of the government's unfeigned dedication to safeguarding press freedom and protecting the life, liberty and security of media workers in the country amid huge challenges."

Secretary Andanar delivered the Philippine dignitary statement at the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council on February 26, 2020, that highlighted the Duterte administration's policy on media freedom and human rights. “We repeat the call for prudence in assessing claims particularly from sources who have enjoyed the hallowed status of human rights defenders while waging the longest insurgency in Asia and terrorizing communities in the Philippines,” said Secretary Andanar, who is the first Philippine Communications Secretary to speak before the Human Rights Council.

Andanar, whose commission order was released on May 25, 2020, took his oath as commissioned commander of the Philippine Navy Reserve Force at the Philippine Navy headquarters on October 2, 2020. The commissioning was pursuant to the National Defense Act, which grants military officership rank to presidential appointees as recommended by the Chief of Staff.

The Philippine and Myanma governments in January 2019 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) 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.

To further both countries’ media and communications capabilities for public service, the PCOO and Myanmar's Ministry of Information signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Information Cooperation in the Field of News Exchange, Radio and Television Broadcasting, Film Industries, Public Relations, Printing and Publishing in 2019 to further both countries’.

The National Consumers Affairs Foundation (NCAF) 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 (PACC) 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 (PTV), Radyo ng Bayan, Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM) and Philippine News Agency (PNA) 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 (ROSA) 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. (PCSI) 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."

The convention took place on February 19–21, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City with the theme, “Spurring Development and Empowering Communities through Information”.

The Emergency Warning Broadcast System (EWBS) 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.

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 Secretary to visit the massacre memorial.

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.

In 2018, the PCOO and South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism signed an agreement on mutual staff visits, training and exchange in the field of broadcasting to broaden the skills and capabilities of both institutions’ personnel.

In August 2018, the PCOO, through the Philippine News Agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hungary's Médiaszolgáltatás-támogató és Vagyonkezelő Alap to further both countries’ cooperation on news exchanges.

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 (ASEAN) 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.

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 (PTFoMS).

In July 2017, the Philippine Star published an article that found Andanar to be "richest official in his agency with a net worth higher than that of all his undersecretaries and assistant secretaries combined", Andanar declared a net worth of P152.27 million in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) submitted April 2017.

Dutertenomics is one of the flagship communication programs of the PCOO. It refers to the socioeconomic policies of President Duterte, which includes the development of infrastructure and industries. It was launched on April 18, 2017, by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) 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.

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 Malacañang 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.

In November 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the PCOO and the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of Russia to cooperate in the field of mass communications.

Throughout 2017, the PCOO and its attached agencies signed agreements with China Radio International on various programs and projects, such as the joint production of Mga Pinoy sa Tsina documentary series; cooperation on visiting mechanism, staff exchange, and program cooperation; and cooperation on China Theater.

To further the crisis communications and management capabilities of the PCOO, a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has signed the Delivery of Disaster Information through Emergency Warning Broadcasting System and Data Broadcasting of Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting in 2017.

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.

In June 2016, it was announced that Andanar would be joining the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte 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.

Andanar was appointed as 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.

PCOO secretary Martin Andanar championed the landmark freedom of information (FOI) policy of the government, which was made effective under Executive Order No. 2 signed in 2016.

Andanar also supervises the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), 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 (KBP) 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 (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen.

The Laging Handa is the first comprehensive crisis communications program in the Philippines, spearheaded and conceptualized by Andanar in 2016, that streamlines all government media agencies for information dissemination. During the pandemic, the Laging Handa evolved into a robust television, radio, and online program that became the go-to-program for covid related information in the Philippines, in partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

In 2016, the PCOO and the China's State Council Information office signed an agreement on news and information exchange, training, and for other purposes that have directly benefited both institutions' personnel in expanding their skills and capabilities.

Since 2016, the PCOO has been regularizing employees who have been with the communications arm for five years or longer, and have been in short-term renewable contracts that denied them the security, opportunities, and benefits of full-time employees.

In November 2016, Sen. Koko Pimentel told Andanar "Review your history.", after Andanar referred to Anti-Marcos protesters who opposed the hero's burial of the late dictator as "temperamental brats". Pimentel called the protestors "principled", adding "they come from the poorest sectors of society and therefore, cannot be labeled as "brats. They can never be called brats. These are actually principled positions. So Martin Andanar should review his history,"

Andanar attended courses on Communications in Public Policy Delivery (2015) and Countering Violent Extremism (2017) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, as well as the FB News Literacy (2017) 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. and on Community Development at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

He started as the news voice image artist of Aksyon TV and Radyo5 when he joined TV5 in 2009.

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 completed his Master in Entrepreneurship at the Asian Institute of Management in 2007.

He also hosted the documentary and public affairs shows such as S.O.S.: Stories of Survival (2005–2008), Pulis! Pulis! (2008–2009), Crime Klasik (2011–2012) and Dokumentado (2010–2013) on ABC/TV5/AksyonTV.

Andanar 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 (NBN) as anchor of Teledyaryo from 2002 until 2004, when he was transferred again to ABC/TV5's news division as anchor for Sentro from 2006 to 2008, TEN: The Evening News, Aksyon Weekend and Aksyon sa Umaga, Aksyon JournalisMO, Sapul sa Singko, Good Morning Club, Andar ng mga Balita (both the television and radio versions), Punto Asintado, and Aksyon sa Umaga.

Jose Ruperto Martin Marfori Andanar (born August 21, 1974) is a Filipino television news personality, news anchor, radio commentator, podcaster, and voice-over artist. He served as the secretary of the Presidential Communications Office of the Philippines under the Duterte administration.

Andanar was born on August 21, 1974, in Manila, Philippines to Wencelito Andanar and Rosario Marfori.