By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

With most of the country reeling from the impact of successive storms Typhoon Tino and Supertyphoon Uwan that brought devastation in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the Palace underscored the need to probe government officials who left the country as their constituents faced the brunt of these natural disasters.

These officials include seven local chief executives and a board member from Cebu—Mayor Alvis Monleon of Catmon, Mayor Felijur Quiño of Compostela, Mayor Aljew Fernando Frasco of Liloan, Mayor Manuel Santiago of Pilar, Mayor Edgar Rama of Poro, Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr. of San Francisco, Mayor Greman Solante of Tudela, and board member Andrei Duterte—who embarked on a travel to the United Kingdom as Typhoon Tino swept across Visayas.

Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III was also cited for his travel to Germany as Super Typhoon Uwan brought torrential rains and strong winds to Isabela on Sunday.

At the Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is already looking into this matter.

Castro told the media, “Kailangang malaman kung ito’y bakasyon-bakasyon at hindi aksyon. Mayroon po kasi talagang nagbabakasyon habang may kalamidad, at ‘yan po ang hindi gusto ng ating Pangulo. So tingnan po natin, imbestigahan po natin kung sila’y may kinakailangang mapanagutan.”

She added further, “Dapat ang trabaho ay para sa taumbayan kasi ang taumbayan umaasa sa gobyerno lalo na sa ganitong klaseng sitwasyon at kondisyon. Hindi puwedeng chill-chill lang parati dahil kailangan trabaho, trabaho—hindi bakasyon.”

When quizzed by reporters, she declined to further comment on the matter and instead deferred the questions to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

On FLAM’s attendance at major events vis-à-vis Tino onslaught

The Palace mouthpiece, meanwhile, responded to criticisms about the events attended by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos last week, in the wake of Typhoon Tino’s onslaught across the Visayas—defending such as part of the First Lady’s responsibilities and obligations as a public servant.

Castro emphasized, “Ito po ay pagkilala mismo sa kapwa nating Pilipino. Habang ang Pangulo naman po at ibang mga Cabinet secretaries ay tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Kanya-kanya pong responsibilidad, kanya-kanya pong obligasyon.”

She asked those who criticized the First Lady for being ‘tone-deaf’ and ‘insensitive’, “Kung ito naman po ay naganap para iangat ang kapwa nating Pilipino, hindi naman po siguro ito masama. Mas hindi magandang tingnan at mas magandang i-criticize ang mga leaders na nagbabakasyon lamang nang walang dahilan.”

The events attended by the First Lady were the Book launch of Philippine First Ladies’ Portraits on Nov. 6, opening of the children’s library at the National Library of the Philippines and the PCSO Vocal Ensemble on Nov. 7, and the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Asian Cultural Council on Nov. 8.

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