MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. defended Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Jonvic Remulla’s unconventional and often humorous way of announcing class suspensions, saying the style is secondary to the message being delivered.
“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, and as long as he achieves that, then he manages to do what he sets out to do,” Marcos said in response to criticisms surrounding Remulla’s tone.
“I am not exactly a judge of – how do you say? – literary style. I don’t know how you want to put it. So that’s really… I have to consider that out of my purview,” he added.
The President also emphasized that delegating class suspension announcements to the DILG was a deliberate move to streamline public communication and avoid confusion.
“Halimbawa ‘yung it affects you… Where do you go? Which website do you consult? So, pagka ganito, basta’t sinabi na, the (Secretary of DILG) will make the announcement and that is what… Wala nang fake news. Iyon na ‘yung katotohanan. Iyon na ‘yung totoo,” he said.
Remulla, who previously served as Cavite governor, has drawn mixed reactions online for his comedic and informal announcements. Critics have called them insensitive and unprofessional, especially during emergencies.
But the DILG chief stood firm, saying he sees no need to change.
“Ako naman, noon pa man ganoon na ako.Ssa Cavite pa lang ganoon na ako, ngayon pa ba ako magbabago eh ang intensyon ko lang naman is mag-inform?” Remulla said in an interview with Teleradyo’s Gising Pilipinas.
“Pasensya na, hindi talaga ako magbabago ganito ako eh. Sorry if I offend but I don’t think I have to apologize for my humor or too much of it, but what I have to do is have the people understand what am I saying,” he added.
“That’s who I am, noong governor ako ganun na ako, kaya ngayong DILG Secretary ako ganun pa din ako, ngayon pa ba ako magbabago? Gagamitin din nila ako. Wala naman akong intensyon na makapanakit. If I have to apologize for hurting their sensibilities, do offer it,” Remulla said./PN
