MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remained on top of the government’s response to heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon even while spending several hours with his family for First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’ birthday celebration, Malacañang said Sunday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro defended Marcos amid criticism triggered by a photo showing the President singing during the First Lady’s birthday celebration on Aug. 26, stressing that his presence at the gathering did not mean he had set aside his responsibilities.
“Ang Pangulo ay Pangulo saan man man siya naroroon,” Castro said.
She said the President’s decision to devote several hours to his family did not interrupt either his duties or government operations.
“Ang paglalaan ng ilang oras para sa kanyang pamilya ay hindi nangangahulugang tumitigil ang kanyang tungkulin o ang operasyon ng pamahalaan,” Castro said.
The Palace official said that amid the heavy rains, Marcos continued monitoring developments and issuing instructions to government agencies involved in disaster response.
“Sa gitna ng matinding pag-ulan, patuloy ang kanyang pagbabantay at pag-uutos sa mga ahensya upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at agarang pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan,” she said.
Castro maintained that Marcos remained focused on conditions in communities affected by the inclement weather.
“Laging tutok ang Pangulo sa sitwasyon. Minomonitor ang kalagayan ng mga kababayan natin at ng mga bayan na apektado,” she said.
She added that the President had directed government agencies to respond promptly to the needs of communities and residents affected by the heavy rains.
“Inuutos at pinaaalalahanan ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan ng mabilis na pagtugon sa mga kailangan ng mga biktima ng matinding buhos ng ulan,” Castro said./PN
