Palace on Tinio calling Marcos ‘inutile’ – Disrespecful coming from a teacher

MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Friday called out ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio for using what she described as disrespectful language.

This pertains to the lawmaker’s criticism of the administration’s response to transboundary haze pollution originating from Indonesia.

Tinio made the remark during the House sponsorship and plenary deliberations on the proposed budgets of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

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He had criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over his alleged lack of action on the issue of transboundary haze, which has affected air quality in parts of the Philippines.

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READ: Antonio Tinio calls out Marcos alleged inaction on transboundary haze

“We can see how inutile Marcos is. He does not do anything on the issue of transboundary haze pollution,” Tinio had said.

He then said that Malaysia’s deputy prime minister visited Indonesia to discuss the hazardous effects of the haze, particularly preventive measures.

“That’s how high-level it is because Malaysia wants to protect its citizens from pollution,” he explained.

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“But here in the Philippines, Malacañang is being careless, and it just told the public to wear masks or cancel classes due to the haze,” Tinio lamented.

However, the legislator’s remarks did not sit well with Castro.

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“Isn’t Congressman Tinio a representative of our beloved teachers?” she asked.

“Is this the kind of language, devoid of respect for others, that he wants to instill in the minds and hearts of the youth and students in our country?” she inquired again.

“This is not a good example, as this kind of language from him has become increasingly frequent and can be likened to profanity,” she observed.

READ: Unhealthy air quality blanketing eight areas – DENR

On Malaysian deputy prime minister’s visit to Indonesia, Castro noted that transboundary haze was only one of the issues to be discussed during the visit, and was not the sole reason for the high-profile trip.

“He should clarify what he means before calling someone ‘inutile,’ because that kind of mockery and belittling can be turned back against him,” Castro warned Tinio.

“Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he will include the issue of transboundary haze pollution in the discussions during his working visit to Jakarta from September 17 to 20,” the Palace press officer continued.

She pointed out: “The Malaysian prime minister did not travel to Indonesia specifically to discuss the issue of transboundary haze pollution.”

READ: Forest fire-linked haze still present in Palawan, areas in Visayas, Mindanao

Castro said if Tinio truly wanted to help ease the situation, he can take the initiative himself.

“If he wants to help and take action, he should draft a legislation. That is his job. Just look at Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act. He should start working on it now,” he dared the lawmaker.

“The DENR and the other government agencies concerned have not been remiss in taking action,” she added.

The Palace official then shifted the discussion to Tinio’s party-list group, asking what action it had taken against a teacher who allegedly disrespected Marcos.

“Let us turn the question around and ask Congressman Tinio: What action has his party-list group taken against a teacher who disrespected the president?” she wondered.

“There was also a teacher who threatened to shoot me. The DepEd has already taken action on these issues,” Castro recalled.

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“But what action has your party, the ACT Teachers party-list, taken?” she wanted to know. “If no immediate action was taken, what do you call that?” /apl