[3][4] In June 2016, it was announced that Andanar would be joining the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte as the secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, replacing Sonny Coloma.

In March 2022, Andanar was named acting presidential spokesperson after former Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles was appointed as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission.

[10] In 2008, along with 30 Filipino youth leaders, the US State Department sent Andanar to Northern Illinois University for an International Visitors Leadership Fellowship Program.

[25] PCOO secretary Martin Andanar championed the landmark freedom of information (FOI) policy of the government, which was made effective under Executive Order No.

[30] The task force's creation and Andanar's efforts in managing it received praise from European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen.

The CPJ report was welcomed further by PTFoMS, under the supervision of Andanar as "an incontrovertible demonstration and validation of the government's unfeigned dedication to safeguarding press freedom and protecting the life, liberty and security of media workers in the country amid huge challenges.

[33] It was launched on April 18, 2017, by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in a forum attended by local and international media, with discussions focused on President Duterte's 10-point socioeconomic reform agenda and its primary objective of accelerating poverty reduction and transforming the Philippines into a high middle-income economy by 2022.

[39][40] Andanar also announced that the People's Television Network Inc. (PTNI) will have increased transmission capacity to reach far-off areas with the help of the Integrated Services Digital Broadcast – Terrestrial (ISDB-T) system from Japan.

[46] The convention is part of the PCOO's effort to give people a better appreciation and understanding of government programs and mechanisms so that “they can better participate in nation-building and development, acquire insights on best practices in public advocacy and social mobilization, and improve public-private partnership in development communication.”[45][46] In November 2018, Andanar and PCOO Undersecretary Joel Egco met with survivors of victims of the Maguindanao massacre, including clan leader Esmael Mangudadatu, and told them that a guilty verdict against suspects is expected to be served in early 2019.

[51] The Philippine and Myanma governments in January 2019 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish stronger mechanisms for information sharing and media cooperation.

It "centers on the accomplishments of the key three pillars of the president's legacy, which are peace and order, infrastructure and development, and poverty alleviation," according to Secretary Andanar.

The HB 8140, authored by ACT- CIS Representative Niña Taduran, aims to provide enhanced protection, security, and benefits for media workers, to which PCOO has been among different agencies who have been pushing for its swift passage in congress.

[58] In line with President Rodrigo Duterte's “independent foreign policy” adoption and implementation, Secretary Martin M. Andanar intensified the PCOO's engagements, through bilateral agreements and cooperation on various communications partnerships and collaborations, with traditional and non-traditional partner countries of the Philippines to realize his goal, and that of the Duterte administration, of making the PCOO a world-class news and information organization for the Filipino people.

[61] In 2018, the PCOO and South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism signed an agreement on mutual staff visits, training and exchange in the field of broadcasting to broaden the skills and capabilities of both institutions’ personnel.

The two government agencies, through the agreement, aimed at undertaking joint or individual activities and programs that would help strengthen cooperation and create favorable conditions for the broad and free dissemination of information to further increase the knowledge and understanding about the life and culture of both countries.

Through this, the awareness, the understanding, and the knowledge that proceed from the agreement underline the honored values both countries uphold, in the profession of journalism and public relations.

[65] As the PCOO and its attached agencies improved its operations in terms of broadcasting and information dissemination in various modes of communication, it has made President Rodrigo Duterte visible and closer to the Filipino public.

These are being complemented by the unrelenting, strong and proactive social media platforms of the PCOO and its attached agencies, apart from television and radio programs undertaken, that are accessible to Filipinos anywhere in the world.

[74] The National Press Club in October 2018 honored Andanar with lifetime membership and a plaque of appreciation in recognition of his efforts to protect journalists and increase transparency and accountability in governance.

[77][78] Andanar received a Presidential Citation from President Duterte in December 2018 that commended the PCOO's work in the successful chairmanship of the Philippines for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2017.

[82] Andanar was recognized as an outstanding Mindanaonon during the 1st Mindanao Governance and Leadership Excellence Awards held at Limketkai Luxe Hotel in March 2019, for having significantly improved the People's Television Network (PTV), Radyo ng Bayan, Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM) and Philippine News Agency (PNA) in less than two years.

The PCSI in 2017 recognized Andanar as among their “men of extraordinary influence.”[84] On November 29, 2019, Andanar received the Outstanding Alumnus Award for Professional Service in Communication from the Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, for his “initiative in media digitalization, making information and news communication reach a wide range people in the country, keeping them updated and aware of developments nationally and internationally.

The commissioning was pursuant to the National Defense Act, which grants military officership rank to presidential appointees as recommended by the Chief of Staff.