Jake Ejercito, Jessy Mendiola call out DILG over class suspension post
Jake Ejercito and Jessy Mendiola criticized the Facebook page of DILG Philippines on its handling of class suspensions. Images: Andrei Suleik via Instagram/@unoemilio, @jessymendiola, Facebook/DILG Philippines
Jake Ejercito and Jessy Mendiola are criticizing the informal way that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced the class suspensions amid the heavy rains and flooding brought by the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
On its Facebook page on Tuesday, July 22, the DILG issued its class suspension update with the colloquial remarks: “Mga Abangers, sarap ng bogchi ko. Sa kabusugan ay naka idlip nang sandali. Oh eto na inaabangan ninyo.”
(To those who are waiting for the suspension, I had such a nice meal. Because of that, I was able to fall asleep. Here’s what you’re waiting for.)
The announcement came with a graphic that appeared to show the message came from DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla.
Image: Facebook/DILG Philippines
Indeed, the post seemed to be in keeping with Remulla’s casual style of communicating with his Facebook followers, even when he was still governor of Cavite.
The post, however, did not sit well with some netizens, who claimed that such waggish language seemed inappropriate for his office or position. Others pointed out that the DILG seemed “out of touch” for “turning a serious situation into a laughing matter.”
Ejercito, one of the celebrities who are vocal about social issues, commented on the DILG’s post: “There’s a time and place for trying to be funny — this isn’t one of them,” Ejercito wrote in the comments.
Meanwhile, Mendiola said: “Is this supposed to be funny?”
Screenshot of the comments on the DILG post.
The DILG has yet to address the comments on its way of announcing class suspensions, as of this writing.
It was earlier confirmed by Remulla to the Inquirer that his government agency will be in charge of announcing class suspensions in times of typhoons and inclement weather.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez also stated that Remulla was given the authority to announce the impending class suspensions “on behalf of the Cabinet and the Palace.”
Ejercito’s recent projects were the 2023 drama “Can’t Buy Me Love” and the 2024 film “GG: Good Game.” He also starred in the dramas “Fit Check: Confessions of an Ukay Queen” and “Marry Me, Marry You.”
Meanwhile, Mendiola made her teleserye comeback with “Sins of the Father,” which also stars Gerald Anderson, Seth Fedelin, Francine Diaz, Shaina Magdayao, RK Bagatsing, and John Arcilla, to name a few. /edv
