Metro Manila, Philippines – Government officials should be judged by their work and not by the clothes they wear, Malacañang said in light of criticism of public officials in designer clothing while visiting communities affected by severe flooding.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not issued any directive on what government officials should wear when responding to disasters, but noted that genuine public service should be measured by their actions.
“Ang pagsiserbisyo po ay hindi po nakikita sa damit, nakikita po ito sa gawa, nakikita po ito kung visible ba iyong mga leaders at nandidiyan sila para tumulong,” Castro said on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
[Translation: Public service is not seen in what someone wears. It is seen in their actions, whether leaders are visible and whether they are there to help.]
“Mas maganda po na tingnan ang lider sa trabaho, sa gawa, hindi po sa damit,” she added.
[Translation: It is better to judge a leader by their work and actions, not by their clothes.]
Local officials from Pampanga drew flak online when they appeared in designer clothes while inspecting flood-hit areas.
Castro acknowledged questions over whether such displays could appear insensitive as communities struggle with the impact of widespread flooding.
She said appearances alone should not be used to determine whether an official is performing their duties.
“Mayroon pong mga iba, napakasimple ng dating, T-shirt, pants, iyong iba nagpapaulan pa, pero wala namang natutulong,” Castro said.
[Translation: There are others who appear very simple, wearing a T-shirt and pants, some even standing in the rain, but are not actually helping.]
Castro said she could not speak for officials who choose to wear branded clothing.
“Hindi natin alam kung ang pagsusuot ng branded na iyan ay mura na sa kanila. So, depende! Depende sa kanila, baka iyan ay – kung sa atin na ordinaryong tao ay napakamahal, baka sa kanila ay mura lang iyan dahil iyan ang kanilang nakagawian,” Castro added.
[Translation: We don’t know if wearing those branded items is already inexpensive for them. So, it depends. What may be very expensive for ordinary people like us may be inexpensive for them because that is what they are accustomed to.]
Castro, however, said government officials should remain mindful of how their actions may be perceived, particularly during disasters.
“Siguro kailangan din maging sensitive kasi lalong-lalo na kung iyong mga kababayan natin ay nakakaramdam ng hirap, trauma at kalungkutan,” she said.
[Translation: Perhaps there is also a need to be sensitive, especially when our fellow Filipinos are experiencing hardship, trauma and grief.]
