Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM)
Established in 1987 through Executive Order No. 297 signed by then-President Corazon C. Aquino, the Presidential Broadcast Staff – Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) was created as the official media arm of the Office of the President. It is tasked with providing comprehensive broadcast coverage and production support for all presidential activities, both within the country and abroad. Over the years, RTVM has played a central role in crafting and disseminating the public image of the Philippine presidency.
Media assets
News agency: RTVM
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
RTVM operates as a specialized unit under the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the executive agency responsible for managing the government’s overall communications strategy. As a bureau-level entity within the PCO, RTVM’s leadership and direction fall directly under the purview of the presidential administration. Its operational framework and responsibilities are delineated in Executive Order No. 297, which remains its founding legal instrument.
As of mid‑2025, Franz Gerard R. Imperial serves as Executive Director of RTVM, reporting to PCO Secretary Dave Gomez. He assumed the position in 2023 and continues in 2025.
Source of funding and budget
RTVM is fully state-funded, with its annual budget determined through the national appropriations process. In 2022, the agency was allocated PHP 171.9 million (approx. US$ 3.4 million). By 2025, the budget has significantly increased to PHP 256.5 million (approx. US$ 5.1 million), as indicated in government budgetary documents. The rise in funding reflects a broader trend of bolstering state communications infrastructure under the Marcos Jr. administration.
No revenue-generating or commercial operations have been reported. RTVM’s mandate is exclusively public service, and it does not engage in commercial advertising or independent content production.
Editorial independence
RTVM functions primarily as a production and broadcast service for the President and is not intended to operate as an independent journalistic outlet. Its principal role is to provide live and recorded coverage of the President’s official activities, including public addresses, ceremonial events, international engagements, and executive briefings. This content is then made available for rebroadcast by other media organizations.
According to the RTVM Operations Handbook, the agency’s core mission is “to provide the necessary media services to the incumbent President.” As such, editorial content is intrinsically aligned with the priorities and messaging of the presidential office. All editorial decisions—including production focus, scripting, and dissemination—are tightly controlled by the Office of the President.
To date, there is no independent oversight or third-party mechanism in place to evaluate RTVM’s editorial objectivity, accuracy, or public service quality. The absence of any internal ombudsman, editorial board, or external regulatory review limits transparency and reinforces RTVM’s position as a government communications apparatus rather than a public broadcaster.
July 2025