Marcos defends DILG Remulla's 'announcements'

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. defended DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla following criticisms related to his department's style of announcing class and work suspensions.

When asked about this, Marcos told reporters covering his trip in Washington, DC, that he is "not a judge of literary style." 

“As long as he gets the message across, that's what it's for. That's what all of these postings are for and get some information across," Marcos said. 

''People criticize me for the way I speak, criticize him for the way he speaks. But that's the way he speaks,' he added.

The President also explained that the task of announcing class suspension was given to Remulla to avoid the spread of fake information. 

"Which website do you consult? So, pagka ganito, basta’t sinabi na, the SILG will make the announcement… Wala ng fake news. Iyon na ‘yung katotohanan. Iyon na ‘yung totoo,” explained Marcos.

“So that the dissemination of information is better. That is very simple."

Vice President Sara Duterte, however, had a contrasting opinion, saying that official social media pages of government offices "have to be professional." 

“So, kung galing yan sa DILG official account, na sinasabi ninyo, confirmed naman na DILG official account, they have to be professional,” she told reporters in The Netherlands.  

Apology

Remulla has already apologized for the "humorous posts" of his department for the announcement of class and work suspensions with some netizens saying that they were insensitive.

Remulla told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview that he was not downplaying the struggle of the public and that he was just trying to lighten their mood. 

In a post on DILG's Facebook account on Tuesday, Remulla said, "Mga abangers, may inaabangan ba kayo? Mamaya na kain muna ko."

(Guys, are you waiting for something? Later, I have to eat first.)

Then, the DILG again published a post with Remulla saying, “Mga abangers, sarap ng bogchi ko. Sa kabusugan ay nakaidlip nang sandali. Oh eto na inaabangan niyo!”

(Guys, I had a delicious meal. I fell asleep for a while after being full. Oh, this is what you’ve been waiting for!)

Dante, Emong

Twelve people were reported dead due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Crising and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), meanwhile, said that over 1.4 million people in the country have been affected by  Tropical Cyclone Crising, the Southwest Monsoon, and a low pressure area (LPA).

Two storms, Emong and Dante are also currently affecting several parts of the country. 

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No. 1:

• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• the northern and western portions of Pangasinan (Dasol, Burgos, Agno, Bani, Bolinao, City of Alaminos, Mabini, Anda, Labrador, Sual, Binmaley, Dagupan City, Lingayen, Bugallon, Infanta, Sison, Mangaldan, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Pozorrubio)
• Apayao
• Abra
• Benguet

—with reports from Anna Felicia Bajo and Vince Angelo Ferreras/ VAL, GMA Integrated News