DILG Revives Meme-Like Class, Work Suspension Notice
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) once again employed a meme-like class and work suspension notice on Monday, sparking fresh debate. This messaging style, which has drawn widespread criticism from Vice President Sara Duterte and online communities, was used in the agency’s latest announcement.
In the post, the DILG addressed the public as “mga abangers” (those waiting) and stated: “Ayon sa Pagasa, hassle ang panahon bukas. 4 na araw kayong pahinga, dagdag pa ng isa… Oh ayan, serious na ang dating ko. No joke! No joke talaga! Keep safe everyone.” (According to Pagasa, the weather tomorrow will be troublesome. You’ll have four days off, plus one more… Oh, now I’m serious. No joke! Really, no joke! Keep safe, everyone.)
Vice President Calls for Professionalism
When asked about the DILG’s messaging approach in late July, Vice President Duterte urged the agency to maintain professionalism. “The person can express, has the freedom of expression [but] an institution does not have the freedom of expression,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of a more formal tone in official communications.
Secretary Remulla Defends Messaging Style
Following the Vice President’s critique, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla responded in Filipino, saying he “won’t joke for now.” However, he stood by his communication style, explaining that his approach resonated with people during his tenure as governor of Cavite. Officials noted that Remulla’s informal tone aims to engage the public more effectively, despite the mixed reactions.
Public Reaction and Online Criticism
The DILG’s meme-like class and work suspension notice stirred reactions across social media. Community members expressed concern, with one netizen stating, “Call me OA (overacting), but people are suffering, some are losing homes and loved ones. And yet, others act like everything’s perfectly fine, as if nothing’s happening. I hope we can be more mindful with our choice of words next time.”
Context of Recent Political Tensions
Amid the debate over messaging, Duterte’s remarks during a November 23, 2024 press conference attracted national attention. She claimed to have ordered an assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, stating, “Sinabi ko sa kaniya [na] kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta at si Martin Romualdez. No joke, no joke, Nagbilin na ako. ‘Pag namatay ako – sabi ko, ‘Huwag kang tumigil ha? Hanggang hindi mo mapatay sila and he said ‘yes.’” (I told him that if I am killed, he should kill BBM, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez. No joke, no joke, I already instructed him. I said, ‘If I die—don’t stop, okay? Until you’ve killed them,’ and he said ‘yes.’)
Looking Ahead
The DILG’s decision to bring back its meme-like class and work suspension notice highlights the ongoing tension between informal communication styles and calls for professionalism in government messaging. As the public continues to respond, officials are reminded to balance engagement with sensitivity, especially during challenging times.
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