Claire Castro (lawyer)
Claire A. Castro | |
|---|---|
 Castro during a Press Briefing, 2025 | |
| Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office | |
| Assumed office February 24, 2025 | |
| President | Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Daphne Oseña-Paez (Press Briefer) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Clarissa Angeles Castro Philippines |
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas |
| Occupation | TV Host, Radio Broadcaster, Podcaster |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Clarissa "Claire" Angeles Castro (born June 27) is a Filipino lawyer and podcaster. In February 2025, she was appointed as the Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Press Officer of Malacañang Palace.
Education
[edit]Castro graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in political science and, later, a law degree, graduating laude. She also holds a Master’s degree in law. As a lawyer, Castro has her own private law office and was also the head of the Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.[1]
Career
[edit]Radio Host and Podcaster
[edit]Castro was previously the host of the legal-advice radio show Usapang de Campanilla on DZMM (now DWPM)[2][3] as well as one of the three co-hosts of the ABS-CBN live talk show 3-in1; she also previously wrote a column for Abante.[4] Castro co-hosted the "Usapang Batas" segment on DZXL News and runs the YouTube podcast Batas with Atty. Claire Castro.[5]
Undersecretary and Press Officer
[edit]On February 24, 2025, Castro was appointed as the Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Press Officer of Malacañang Palace, immediately assuming the position. She took her oath of office before President Bongbong Marcos along with the newly-appointed PCO Chief Secretary Jay Ruiz.[6]
Arrest
[edit]On September 22, 2015, police filed multiple charges of slander by deed, direct assault, and obstruction of justice against Castro, her husband, and her secretary. Castro was described by some reports as having turned "hysterical" after speaking with police officers when the three went to the Manila police department's Women's and Children's Desk to protest the warrantless apprehension of one of Castro's clients, seeking his immediate release. She was released the next day. Castro said she would file complaints against the policemen involved.[2][7][8][9] In December 2017, the Ombudsman dismissed the nine police officers Castro filed complaints against after finding them guilty of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, maltreatment of detainees, unlawful arrest, unjust vexation, slander by deed, sleeping on duty, arbitrary detention, kidnapping, serious illegal detention and robbery extortion.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Who is Claire Castro, Marcos' new PCO undersecretary?". Rappler. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Agoncillo, Jodee A. (September 23, 2015). "DZMM host detained at MPD for turning hysterical". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "Usapang de Campanilla | DZMM". www.youtube.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "Atty. Claire Castro". Abante Tonite. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "Usapang Batas DZXL". YouTube. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "Jay Ruiz takes oath as PCO chief; Claire Castro named Palace press officer". ABS-CBN. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Agoncillo, Jodee A. (September 23, 2015). "DZMM host, 3 others undergo proceedings". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Espinosa, Julie (September 23, 2015). "DZMM host, 3 others released". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ See, Aie Balagtas. "Lawyer, MPD cops clash over Chinese trader's arrest". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Galupo, Rey. "9 cops axed for illegal arrest". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.