Manila, March 4 -- Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz on Tuesday strongly dismissed as "fake news" a report alleging that he owns a private media firm that secured over PHP200 million in government contracts, adding that the report is part of a "demolition job" aimed at undermining his credibility.

In an interview, Ruiz said he only served as an "authorized representative" for Digital 8 Inc. during the negotiations of the PHP206-million deal with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for the airing of lotto draws over state-run IBC 13.

He stressed that the deal was signed prior to his appointment as PCO chief and that he had resigned from the firm in January 2025.

Ruiz took his oath as PCO secretary ...