Jonvic apologizes for ‘humorous’ announcements

After drawing flak for “humorous” announcements of work and class suspension, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has apologized for the manner he exhibited in communicating with the public. 

“I'm not belittling what they're going through, I'm just trying to lighten the mood so they don't always hear negative vibes. If they don't understand that, I apologize, but that's just how I am. I hope they understand me. I don't have any bad intentions,” he said in a radio interview on Wednesday. 

In the social media pages of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Remulla employed a relatable tone in making announcements.

On Monday, Remulla began a slightly formal tone in his announcement.

“What’s up, mga abangers, may nagbabalik (What’s up abangers, something’s returning,” the DILG posted pointing to the way Remulla made his announcements during his stint as Governor of Cavite.

This was followed by a series of posts which mentioned Laguna Governor Sol Aragones as the Southern Luzon province was not included in the work and class suspension for Tuesday, 22 July as it was not included in the hazard map of the Department of Science and Technology which makes recommendations to relevant authorities.

“Sa bago kong BFF Sol, Bakit ba ganyan?  Ayon sa DOST ay hindi raw kasama ang Laguna sa Hazard map para bukas. Kung tutuusin ay isang ilat lang ang pagitan natin (To my new BFF Sol, Why is that? According to DOST, Laguna is not included in the Hazard map for tomorrow. After all, we are only a creek away),” Remulla said.

Remulla remarked that he previously engaged then Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez in a banter.

“Yung dati ko na BFF si Ramil, lagi kaming nag trash-tokan. Pero nahiya naman ako sa iyo dahil si utol Gilbert ang talagang ka-close mo.  Ganito ire, kung tingin mo nanganganib ang mga kababayan mo ay ikaw na ang bahala. Suportahan ta ka. Basta kung ano ang desisyon mo, back up ako 100%. Oh ayan. Good luck! (When Ramil was my BFF, we always trash-talked. But I was embarrassed because you and my brother Gilbert were really close. If you think your countrymen are in danger, it's up to you. We will support you. Whatever your decision is, I'll back you up 100%. There you go. Good luck!),” he added.

In a third post, Remulla said he will make an announcement but he will first take a “bogchi” or a snack.

This was followed by another post: Sarap ng bogchi ko. Sa kabusugan ay naka idlip nang sandali. Oh eto na inaabangan ninyo: (My bogchi was delicious. I fell asleep for a while after eating. Oh, here's what you've been waiting for: ), announcing the suspensions for Wednesday, 23 July 2025.

This style of communicating, considered as “Gen-Z” has been criticized by many saying as it was “confusing”,  “unserious”, and “unprofessional”.

Among those who criticized Remulla include celebrity Jake Ejercito

“There’s a time and place for trying to be funny— this isn’t one of them,” he said.

Actress Jessy Mendiola also commented on the DILG post. “Is this supposed to be funny?”

Remulla’s former constituents commented on the post saying that just was how the former governor communicates.

“Ganyan po talaga siya, noon pa (That’s the way he has been, even before),” a commenter said.

Meanwhile, the matter has reached President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who defended his Secretary.

“As long as he gets the message across that’s what this is for, that’s what these postings are for. That’s an information across,” Marcos told reporters in Washington, D.C.

Malacañang Palace recently authorized Remulla to declare work and class suspensions during inclement weather and disasters, based on recommendations from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez confirmed his authority to make announcements “in times of national emergencies” on behalf of the Cabinet and the Palace.