President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. defended Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday following public criticism over the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) style of announcing class and work suspensions.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., Marcos downplayed concerns that the secretary’s social media posts were inappropriate or insensitive, saying that what mattered most was delivering timely information.
“I’m not a judge of literary style. As long as he gets the message across, that’s what it’s for,” Marcos said. “People criticize me for the way I speak, criticize him for the way he speaks. But that’s the way he speaks.”
Marcos explained that Remulla was assigned to make official announcements on class and work suspensions to curb the spread of false information. “Which website do you consult? So pagka ganito, basta’t sinabi na, the SILG will make the announcement… Wala nang fake news. Iyon na ‘yung katotohanan,” he said.
Remulla faced backlash online after a series of lighthearted posts on DILG’s official Facebook page announcing suspension updates. One post read, “Mga abangers, may inaabangan ba kayo? Mamaya na, kain muna ko,” followed by another that said, “Mga abangers, sarap ng bogchi ko. Sa kabusugan ay nakaidlip nang sandali. Oh eto na inaabangan niyo!”
The posts drew mixed reactions from netizens, with some saying they were insensitive given the ongoing weather crisis that has claimed lives and affected millions.
In response, Remulla apologized and clarified in a GMA interview that his posts were meant to lift the public’s spirits amid the difficult weather conditions. “I was not downplaying anyone’s struggle. I just wanted to lighten the mood,” he said.
The Philippine National Police reported that 12 individuals have died due to Tropical Cyclone Crising and the southwest monsoon. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said over 1.4 million Filipinos have been affected by the combined effects of Crising, the southwest monsoon, and a low pressure area.
Two other storms, Emong and Dante, continue to affect several areas in northern Luzon. As of Wednesday, PAGASA placed portions of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.
