All the President’s men will soon undergo intensive seminar to brush up on their communication skills in a bid to convey clearly the government’s message to the people.

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Monday disclosed that his Cabinet secretaries, especially those new in government, would also be taught how to deal with the media to avoid any conflict.

The upcoming communication seminar by the Aquino Cabinet was proposed after his two senior officials crossed swords with the press in their first few days in office.

Aquino, speaking to reporters after the anniversary rites of the Philippine Air Force at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, said the Cabinet seminar would focus on “how to handle media, how to improve relations with everybody.”

“We want to engage the people in the agenda that we have so the best way is through you, and to communicate what the plans are, the timeframe and not just the substance, the form is also very important so that seminar will be had by most of the Cabinet, especially those who are new in government,” he said.

In explaining the need for the Cabinet training, the President acknowledged that having effective communications is not usually taught in school.

Unlike some Cabinet men who are uncomfortable handling the press, Aquino, a former senator and congressman, has become media savvy, granting ambush media interviews during his public engagements.

Last weekend, Aquino even apologized for the actions of Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, who got on the wrong foot with the press only few days in office.

The Chief Executive urged the media to understand his Cabinet members who have little experience when answering questions from journalists.

Last Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda missed a scheduled 10 a.m. press conference in Malacañang and opted instead to grant an interview with a television network.

Several reporters were waiting him for hours to get the Palace view on the controversial order on the status of government employees. Lacierda later apologized and held a press conference at past 1:30 p.m.

Luistro also blamed the media for fomenting the conflict between the government and the Catholic Church on the controversial sex education program. Reporters lashed back at Luistro for calling them a nuisance.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) will be under the umbrella of the restructured Communications Group (ComGroup) of the week-old Aquino administration.

Aquino, who arrived ahead of the 10 a.m. schedule for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) anniversary celebration, said the OPS will be attached to the Communications Group as one of its line agencies, rejecting earlier reports that his administration plans to abolish the OPS.

“Press Secretary will be one of the line agencies under the Communications Group,” he said in an ambush interview during the 63rd anniversary celebration of the PAF at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Under such structure, it was not clear if the Press Secretary will still hold a Cabinet portfolio considering that it is now under an umbrella group.

However, some quarters say the structure may be contrary to Executive Order No. 297 signed by former President Corazon C. Aquino.

Under Section 3 of the EO, the OPS “shall be the primary policy, planning, programming, and coordinating entity for the conduct of a relevant and effective information and communication management program that will present the activities policies, and directions of the presidency and the government.”

Aquino disclosed that they are still in the process of finishing the line-up of the group, which will be responsible in handling the media as well as the delivery of public information services.

“We’re still finishing with that group. There are many talented people who are part of our communications group. It will have more functions than merely just a press office and we're still populating that particular office with supervisors and heads,” the Chief Executive said.

Aquino said he has yet to appoint his Press Secretary, which was last held by Manila Bulletin Editor-in-Chief Crispulo Icban Jr. under the Arroyo administration following the demise of Cerge Remonde.

Meantime, Aquino is still firming up the selection of individuals to fill the vacant top positions in critical government agencies.

The President claimed that he will still occupy the top post of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the meantime, since he has yet to choose a new secretary.

Aquino, who has yet to complete new government appointments, also admitted there is a tight race for the country’s new chief of the Bureau of Customs.

“In Customs, when a person is recommended, he will have 10 detractors within an hour. That’s how intense the Customs is,” he said.

The Chief Executive also said he has selected a possible new chairman of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) but declined to identify his choice.

“I have to confirm with the chairman what I have in mind if he’s interested. He’s from the Visayas, not Cebu,” he said of the incoming GSIS chairman.