MANILA, March 1 -- Malacanang has directed all incumbent Presidential Communications Office (PCO) officials to submit their courtesy resignations by Feb. 28, newly appointed PCO Secretary Jaybee Ruiz confirmed on Saturday.

Ruiz cited a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Feb. 25, requiring all PCO officials appointed before his tenure to tender their unqualified courtesy resignations by the deadline.

The directive was made "in the exigency of service and in order to give the new PCO Secretary a free hand in performing his dutes and functions," the memorandum said.

The directive applies to presidential appointees in agencies, offices, and bureaus under the PCO, as well as those in government-owned or -controlled c...