Former Quezon City Vice Mayor Charito Planas has been named the newest and latest deputy spokesperson of President Arroyo, and the appointee said she hopes to bring optimism to an administration often embroiled in controversies.

President Arroyo yesterday designated Planas, a lawyer, one of her official mouthpieces in an apparent final attempt to prop up her popularity towards the end of her presidency.

Planas, a known advocate of women’s causes and environmental protection, joins three other members of the President’s communication team that includes Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who is also her official spokesman, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, and deputy presidential spokesman for economic affairs Gary Olivar.

Ermita, in a Palace news conference, said Planas was chosen for her experience in local governance and loyalty to the President since Mrs. Arroyo was senator. Planas will remain chairman of the Nayong Pilipino in Clark Expo while serving as deputy spokesperson.

“The President is very confident she will be able to help dish out correct information on governance. She is not just a lawyer but is also involved in governance in Quezon City. She is among the avid supporters of the President who understands her programs and projects. She knows very well things the president has been doing since 2001,” he said.

“In other words, she knows the mind of the President. She will be very, very helpful in projecting the correct picture about the activities that the President is doing especially her programs and projects,” Ermita added.

Planas, in the same Palace briefing, said she is ready to take the tough job and vowed a positive approach in communicating effectively government programs to the people.

“What I see in the country is negativism. I advocate positivism. We cannot go anywhere by being negative,” said the 79-year-old Planas.

In her first crack at defending the President, Planas said the people should also consider the President as a human being constantly bruised by opposition attacks.

“I feel for her because she is hurt by these attacks,” she said.

Planas said she believes Mrs. Arroyo is the most hardworking president in the nation’s history and deserves some appreciation.

Planas, president of the Quezon City Parks Development Foundation, also promised to be accessible to media, saying she doesn't even need a desk at the Palace to work. "You can call me anytime," she said.

The appointment of Planas came after the departure of two other presidential deputy spokespersons. Anthony Golez resigned to pursue a congressional post in Bacolod while Lorelei Fajardo decided to concentrate on her job as presidential assistant for Central Luzon.