Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. disapproved of government officials on “chill” mode – a slang for nonchalance – during crisis situations when the public needs their presence to provide guidance and assistance, Malacañang said Tuesday, in light of local officials who were abroad at the height of recent successive typhoons.

“Unang-una, sa pangulo, hindi po niya gusto na ang mga liderato ay chill-chill lang,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters.

[Translation: First of all, the president does not want a leadership that is ‘chill.’]

“Dapat ang trabaho ay para sa taumbayan kasi umaasa po sila sa gobyerno lalo na sa ganitong klaseng sitwasyon. Hindi puwedeng sabihin na chill-chill lang palagi. Dapat trabaho, hindi bakasyon,” she added.

[Translation: Work should be for the people because they depend on the government, especially in situations like this. We cannot say ‘just chill’ all the time. Work must come first, not vacation.]

Castro’s remarks were in the wake of a probe by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on officials abroad during Typhoon Uwan, despite a suspension of foreign trips ordered from Nov. 9 to 15.

“Ito po ay under investigation; ito po ay nasa pangunguna ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Hayaan po natin na gawin muna ang kaniyang pag-iimbestiga,” Castro said.

[This is under investigation led by Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Let us allow him to complete his inquiry first.]

The Palace remarks came after Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III, currently in Germany, defended his trip and appeared to downplay state weather warnings.

Castro rebuked the comment, stressing that public officials must act responsibly during crises.

“Kailangan malaman kung ito’y bakasyon, bakasyon at hindi aksyon,” she said.

[Translation: We must determine whether this was a vacation – a vacation, not action.]