Is President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III having a hard time choosing his press secretary which is considered “a hot seat and a tough job?”

With this difficulty besetting Aquino, sources disclosed that the incoming administration is considering to set up a communications group to temporarily assume the functions of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

The OPS is conducting daily briefings to media, as well as organizing press conferences. It is also responsible for planning, programming, and coordinating the activities that will most effectively collect information about what is happening in the Executive branch and getting that information to the media.

In addition, the OPS’s bigger role is to help Filipinos understand government policies and programs, as well as draw support for them.

Earlier, Aquino denied rumors that broadcast journalist Ricky Carandang would be his press secretary. He said he just wants the broadcaster to be part of his media group.

“Not as press secretary, but [he] will help us in the media group,” Aquino said at a press briefing inside his Times Street home in Quezon City. “We really want to engage the citizenry and part of that is the communications strategy.”

Aquino said he would talk with Carandang, a news anchor and television program host, first before divulging to the media the specific job he wants for him.