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Malacañang defended Cabinet members appearing in TV commercials amid reports that some of them will be leaving their posts soon to seek elective positions.
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said on Thursday that Cabinet members are duty-bound to inform the public of the programs undertaken by their respective agencies.
Though Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla’s name was not mentioned in the question, Coloma used Petilla’s situation as an example in articulating his defense.
“Halimbawa, ‘yung tungkol sa energy situation. Simula pa noong isang taon ay tinawag na ng Department of Energy ang atensyon nating lahat doon sa kahalagahan ng paghahanda para dito sa dumadaan na summer months, at batid natin na talagang matindi ‘yung tag-init ngayon, lumampas tayo doon sa 40 degrees heat index,” he said.
He said that because of the information provided by the agency, the public was able to provide contingency and build concrete action.
“Kung mayroon silang nakitang katiwalian o anomalya diyan sa sinasabi nilang ‘yan ay mayroon naman tayong mga puwedeng pagbatayan na mga batas o regulasyon pero sa nakikita natin, ang mga miyembro ng Gabinete ay ginagawa lamang ang kanilang tungkulin,” he said.
Coloma said the President wants agencies to report on what can be done to avoid similar tragedy in the future.
“Siguro ‘yung iba dito would require amendment to certain laws. Naipunto na ‘nung nakaraan ng DOLE na karamihan sa mga nakasaad sa existing occupational safety and health regulations natin ay noon pang 1978 naisabatas at walang criminal penalties na nakahain,” he said.
Text: Jorge Carino, ABS-CBN News
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
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