Palace: Public service judged by deeds, not attire

Malacañang on Tuesday asserted that public officials should be evaluated based on their performance and service, not on the clothes they wear, in response to criticism against local executives seen in designer apparel during disaster relief operations. The Palace urged officials to be sensitive, especially during times of calamity. The issue came to the fore after Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda and her son, Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, were seen leading disaster response efforts in the province wearing branded rainwear amid the flooding and rain caused by the Southwest Monsoon. The governor has since apologized for their attire. "Public service is not observed in the clothes one wears, but by their actions. It is seen in whether leaders are visible and present to help," Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro told reporters. She added, "Help and genuine public service are not measured by the clothes a leader wears. There are some who may look very simple, wearing just a T-shirt and pants, and even braving the rain, but they are not helping. So, it is better to judge a leader by their work and actions, not by their clothes." Castro reiterated that government officials need to be "sensitive," especially during disasters, regardless of their usual lifestyle. This statement comes as severe flooding continues to affect Pampanga, forcing over 17,300 residents to move to evacuation centers. A tragic incident occurred in Angeles City, Pampanga, where a man died after falling into an open manhole submerged in floodwaters. The governor described the flooding in some areas as unprecedented, noting that even places not typically prone to flooding have been affected. The rising water levels due to the flooding have also caused heavy traffic along several portions of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) since Sunday.