Remulla won’t change informal style of announcing class, work suspensions
Metro Manila, Philippines - Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla is firm that he will not change his informal style of announcing class and work suspensions despite drawing flak from social media users, saying “a little humor never hurt anyone.”
Malacañang recently gave the DILG chief the authority to suspend classes and government work operations during disasters. But some have called out Remulla for his tone that some netizens and actors described as “trying to be funny” during a calamity.
Remulla clarified that he is not downplaying the situation and the efforts of frontliners.
“Ang daming letga. Pasensya na, pero hindi na ako magbabago ng ugali,” he said in a social media post. “Kung ang biro ko ay di karapat-dapat para sa inyo, tandaan ninyong wala naman akong minura, minaliit, o hinamak. Wala rin akong binola o sinabing kasinungalingan.”
[Translation: Many people are enraged. Sorry, but I will not change my style. If you find my joke inappropriate, remember that I did not curse, belittle, or endanger anyone. I also did not insult anyone nor lie.]
“Ang ginagawa ko lang ay gawing mas magaan ang paraan ng pagpapaalala—hindi puro pangamba. Kung may hindi nakaintindi, humihingi ako ng pasensya. Pero wala po akong masamang intensyon,” Remulla said in a statement.
[Translation: What I am doing is to lighten the way of reminding our fellow Filipinos–not to incite worry. If there were some who did not understand, I apologize. But I do not have any unpleasant intentions.]
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier defended Remulla, saying it is the interior secretary’s communication style.
Amid the persisting rains, which are expected to last until Monday, Remulla advised Filipinos that the emergency 911 hotline is fully operational for urgent concerns.
READ: ‘Emong’ prompts Signal 1 in parts of Ilocos Region; ‘Dante’ intensifies into tropical storm
He called on local government units to be on high alert as he assured that the agency is closely monitoring the situation.
