MANILA, Philippines – Is it a case of miscommunication between members of the Presidential Communications Group?

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang expressed surprise Wednesday over an announcement made by Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma that Malacañang and media groups have agreed on coverage guidelines during crises.

He said Coloma’s statement was premature and baseless, as the Communications Group members have yet to talk to all major stakeholders in the media industry.

Carandang said he has only met with officials of ABS-CBN and Radio Mindanao Network so far, and needs to talk to executives of GMA-7 and Channel 5 next week.

He added that Coloma, who was tasked to meet with officials of Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), was not given the authority to announce the media guidelines.

Coloma has owned up to his mistake, clarifying also on Wednesday that agreements with media on crisis coverage protocols are not yet final and are merely informal.

He also said that he and his colleagues in the Communications Group have updated each other on the agreements.

Coloma said Cabinet officials also need to assess any agreement reached between the Palace and media groups.

He earlier said that Malacañang does not believe in silencing media, and instead wants journalists to practice self-restraint, self-discipline, and self-regulation when covering crises similar to the August 23 Manila hostage-taking drama.

Coloma had also claimed that the Palace and journalists agreed during a dialogue to apply 4 “generally accepted” points: an expanded “safety zone” for media and the public; journalists should refrain from involving themselves in hostage negotiations; delayed broadcast of reports; and, the appointment of an official spokesperson for the government, police and the military who will relay information to media.

ABS-CBN sources, meanwhile, believe that the gaffe was caused by alleged infighting between members of the Communications Group.

The sources said it was not the first time that the officials clashed on issues.

Coloma reportedly belongs to the “Samar” faction in the Palace while Carandang is allegedly part of the “Balay” group.

The "Samar" faction is composed of close allies and loyalists of the Aquino and Cojuangco families, who were based at the Samar Street office in Quezon City during the Aquino campaign. It includes members of the PNOY lawyers group that was headed by now Executive Secretary Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa, a long time close friend of the President.

The "Balay" faction is made up of Liberal Party and Hyatt 10 stalwarts and supporters, and was named as such because they were based in the Balay Aquino-Roxas campaign headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City.

The two officials denied any infighting in the Communications Group, with Carandang saying that their differences in opinion are not a sign of any rift in the Palace. – with a report from Jing Castañeda, ABS-CBN News