Vice President Sara Duterte has emphasized the need for government institutions, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), to maintain professionalism in their public communications—especially when issuing critical announcements like class and work suspensions during severe weather.
Speaking from The Hague in the Netherlands, Duterte addressed concerns over what some netizens have labeled as “playful” and “insensitive” messaging from the DILG’s official social media accounts under the leadership of Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Citing her own office as an example, Duterte underscored the importance of distinguishing between the voice of the institution and that of the individual.
“Merong Vice President at merong Office of the Vice President. Iba ‘yung institusyon, iba ‘yung tao,” she said in an interview, as quoted by ABS-CBN News.
She pointed out that the Office of the Vice President has a designated spokesperson to ensure that its services and programs are communicated in a professional manner.
“Kaya kami merong spokesperson… kasi yung institusyon, meron silang mga ginagawa ng trabaho, may projects, may serbisyo… So, kapag nandoon ka, makikita mo very professional ‘yan sila,” Duterte added.
The Vice President also made a clear distinction between individual rights and institutional responsibilities. “The person can express, has the freedom of expression. An institution does not have the freedom of expression,” she explained.
Secretary Remulla previously defended the tone of his public announcements, stating in an interview with ABS-CBN News that what mattered most was delivering timely and important information.
“Kasama na ang bashers, pero ang mahalaga at least na-inform ko ang public kung ano ang kailangan nilang malaman kung saan dapat ang hazard areas, sino ang dapat hindi pumasok,” Remulla said.
