The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) formally inducted its Board of Trustees for the 2026–2027 term before Vico Sotto, Mayor of Pasig City, in a ceremony held at the Temporary Pasig City Hall on March 9, 2026.
Mayor Sotto warmly welcomed the 2026–2027 PRSP board, comprising Ana Ruby Pista, APR, of Ardent Communications and AI Centre of Excellence (ACE) — President; Norman A. Agatep, APR, of Grupo Agatep — Vice President for Internal Affairs and Chair of the ANVIL Awards; Edgar U. Timbungco, APR/CPME, of Mang Inasal — Vice President for External Affairs and Chair of the PR Congress; Karla De Quiros of Full Circle Communications, Inc. — Corporate Secretary and Chair of Membership and General Membership Meetings.
Also joining them are Agapito Del Rosario Zaldarriaga of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) — Treasurer and Chair of Ways and Means; Emver Cortez of the Philippine Information Agency NCR — Internal Auditor and Chair of Professional Development; Engelbert Apostol of the Quezon City Government — Chair of CSR; First Officer Steve F. Dailisan, MC, of AirAsia Philippines — Chair of Information and Marketing; and Steve Michael M. Moore Jr., MA, CMP, of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde — Chair of Student Caravan and Grand Prix.
Serving as advisers are Ma. Luisa “Louie” Paragas-Sebastian, APR, of Brown Bag Communication Phils., Inc. (Ex-Officio Trustee); Andy Saracho, APR, of Philippine Veterans Bank, and Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, APR, of the International Association of Business Communicators.
The event marked the beginning of a new term anchored on PRSP’s vision to “Steward the Story,” a directive for PR professionals to evolve from a reactive posture to one that actively shapes narratives around crises and misinformation.
Central to this vision is the principle of stewarding the narrative through good governance. For the board, having Mayor Sotto administer the oath symbolized the values the organization seeks to uphold: transparency, accountability, and public trust.
PRSP and Mayor Sotto: A shared focus on media literacy
During the ceremony, discussions between Mayor Sotto and the PRSP board highlighted a shared priority: media literacy.
Both sides acknowledged the growing impact of misinformation, fake news, manipulative gambling advertisements, and disinformation driven by the misuse of artificial intelligence in today’s digital environment.
Mayor Sotto also noted that many people fall victim to misleading information that can seriously affect their livelihoods.
PRSP expressed its willingness to support initiatives that promote critical thinking and responsible media consumption, particularly among students and communities interested in communication and public relations.
Programs for the coming term
PRSP also outlined several initiatives for the 2026–2027 term, including:
- Expanding the National PR Congress — to move beyond Metro Manila-centric discourse, PRSP will decentralize the National PR Congress by establishing satellite summits and roadshows in key economic hubs like Cebu and Davao. The objective is to bridge the “information gap” between the capital and the provinces, ensuring that regional practitioners have direct access to global PR trends, localized case studies, and high-level networking opportunities that reflect the unique socio-economic landscape of the Visayas and Mindanao.
- Elevating professional development– the society will roll out an advanced Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework designed to upskill practitioners in high-demand areas such as AI-driven analytics, crisis management in the “post-truth” era, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. By partnering with international PR bodies and local academic institutions, these programs aim to institutionalize a standard of excellence that ensures Filipino communicators remain competitive on a global stage..
- Strengthening next-gen engagement via PR Caravans and Competitions — recognizing that the future of the industry lies in the classroom, PRSP will intensify its youth outreach through nationwide PR Caravans and high-stakes collegiate competitions. These initiatives are designed to provide students with “real-world” mentorship, connecting them with industry veterans to solve actual brand or social challenges. The goal is to cultivate a pipeline of ethical, agile, and creative talent long before they enter the professional workforce.
Through these programs, PRSP aims to equip communicators and the public with the tools needed to navigate today’s complex information landscape while advancing the standards of ethics, transparency, and strategic impact within the Filipino public relations industry.
About the Public Relations Society of the Philippines
The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), established in 1957, is the country’s premier organization of public relations and communication professionals. PRSP is committed to advancing ethical, strategic, and responsible communication through professional development, industry collaboration, and thought leadership. The organization continues to champion initiatives that strengthen the profession, serve the public interest, and contribute to nation-building.
