Calls for accountability surfaced online on Monday after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs Atty. Maria Liavel Badillo-Crisostomo posted a TikTok dance video while reportedly vacationing in Vietnam at the height of Super Typhoon Uwan’s onslaught in the Philippines.
A Facebook post by Balitang Klik showed the video clip, noting that many netizens initially admired the official’s dance. The post, however, also questioned the appropriateness of her actions.
"TINGNAN: Marami ang humanga sa pag-indak ni DILG Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs Atty. Maria Liavel Badillo-Crisostomo, na umano’y kasalukuyang nasa bakasyon sa Vietnam, sa kanyang ipinaskil na video sa Tiktok," the caption read.
"Ngunit ang tanong, bilang Asec for Communications and External Affairs ng DILG, makatuwiran kaya ang kanyang ginawa habang hinahagupit ang Pilipinas ng Super Typhoon Uwan? Hindi ba’t napapanahong mga impormasyon kaugnay sa kalamidad ang dapat niyang pinagkakaabalahan? Anong say ‘nyo, Abangers?" the post continued, referencing the term used by DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla for his online audience.
A newspaper reporter also criticized Crisostomo in a separate post.
"Habang binabayo ng bagyo ang Pilipinas, ‘yung tagapagsalita ng isang frontline agency, nandu’n sa Vietnam, pa-Tiktok Tiktok atsaka lamyerda lang. Mana sa pinagmanahan na among bida-bida," the reporter said.
"Hindi worth ang pasweldo sa iyo ng taumbayan. Puro repost ka lang sa IG stories mo. ASSISTANT SECRETARY for Public Affairs, Communications, and Special Concerns ka. Hindi po public service ang pagsayaw, la kaming paki sa kapeng iniinom o cake na kinakain mo," she added.
The Daily Tribune reached out to the DILG communications team for comment, but no response has been received as of press time.
The issue surfaced just as the DILG ordered Cebu provincial officials to submit records of all foreign travel authorities (FTAs) of local chief executives and government officials for review. The move follows reports that some Cebu mayors and lawmakers were abroad during the typhoon response period.
According to Cebu Provincial Assistant Administrator Aldwin Empaces, the Office of the Governor received a formal directive from the DILG Central Office on the matter.