MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang sees no need to call out government officials wearing "designer" clothes while inspecting flood-hit areas since their public service cannot be measured by the clothes they wear.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed this when sought to comment on some criticisms about some local government officials seen wearing branded clothes while inspecting flooded areas.
Some netizens perceived it as insensitive or out of touch. Castro was asked during a press briefing whether Malacañang has sent any message to the Department of Interior and Local Government to advise local officials regarding the matter.
"None, because the President [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] has no message regarding that. Service is not seen in clothing; it is seen in action, in whether leaders are visible and there to help," Castro said.
"I cannot speak on behalf of officials who wear branded clothes. However, they know how they ought to conduct themselves and interact with our fellow countrymen," she said.
However, Castro agreed with some sectors that "perhaps there is a need to be sensitive, especially when our fellow citizens are experiencing hardship, trauma, and sadness."
"Maybe others will ask why they had to wear designer clothes. But as we say, genuine service and helping others are not reflected in a leader’s outfit," she said in Filipino.
Castro added, "It’s better to look at it this way: there are some who look very simple -- wearing a t-shirt, pants, even getting soaked in the rain -- yet provide no real help."
"So it is better to judge a leader by their work and actions, not by their clothes," the Palace press officer said.
"We do not know if wearing those brands is inexpensive for them. So, it depends on them. What may be very expensive to us ordinary people might be cheap to them because it's what they are used to," she said.
Republic Act 6713 states that public officials and employees and their families should lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income, and that they should not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious displays of wealth in any form.
