Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday urged government officials to remain sensitive to Filipinos experiencing hardship, trauma, and grief, particularly those affected by disasters. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the call when asked about government officials seen wearing designer or branded clothing while inspecting areas affected by flooding.
According to Philippines News Agency, Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has not issued a specific directive on what public officials should wear. While acknowledging that branded clothing may be the usual attire of some government officials, Castro underscored the need to be mindful of the circumstances of disaster victims.
"Hindi po ako makakatugon sa mga opisyal na gumagamit na mga branded na damit. Pero alam naman nila kung ano ba ang dapat na ikilos at kung paano dapat makisalamuha sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi natin alam kung ang pagsusot ng branded na 'yan ay mura na sa kanila. So, depende sa kanila (I cannot speak for officials who wear branded clothing. But they know how they should behave and how they should interact with our fellow Filipinos. We do not know whether wearing branded clothing is inexpensive for them. So, it depends on them)," Castro said.
"Kung sa atin, ordinaryong tao ay napakamahal, baka sa kanila ay mura lang iyan dahil iyan ang kanilang nakagawian. But still, siguro, kailangan din maging sensitive kasi lalung-lalo na kung 'yung mga kababayan natin ay nakakaramdam ng hirap, trauma, at kalungkutan (If it is very expensive for us ordinary people, it may be inexpensive for them because that is what they are accustomed to. But still, I think they need to be sensitive, especially when our fellow Filipinos are experiencing hardship, trauma, and grief)," Castro added.
Castro said the quality of public service should not be judged by what officials wear but by how they serve affected communities. She added some officials may choose to wear simple clothing while working in disaster-hit areas, but their appearance alone does not determine the quality of their service.
"Ang pagse-serbisyo po ay hindi po nakikita sa damit. Nakikita po ito sa gawa. Nakikita po ito kung visible ba 'yung mga leaders at nandiyan dyan sila para tumulong (Public service is not measured by one's clothes. It is seen in one's actions. It is seen whether leaders are visible and present to help)," Castro said.
"Meron pong mga iba, napakasimple ng dating. T-shirt, pants, 'yung iba nagpapaulan pa pero wala namang natutulong. So, mas maganda po na tignan ang leader sa trabaho, sa gawa, hindi po sa damit (Some may appear very simple, wearing a T-shirt and pants, and some even work in the rain but they may not be helping at all. So, it is better to judge a leader by their work and actions, not by their clothes)."
Republic Act (RA) 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, mandates public officials to lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income. The law also directs public officials and employees not to "indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form."
Asked to comment on the provision, Castro said government officials know how they are expected to conduct themselves and interact with the public.
