Yesterday, foreign affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. infamously called Vice President Leni Robredo “boba” (stupid) over a comment she made in her weekly radio show, BISErbisyong Leni regarding the cancellation of diplomatic passports of former foreign affairs secretaries.
Talking about the cancellation of the diplomatic passports of former foreign affairs secretary Albert Del Rosario, who was barred from entering Hong Kong last June 19, she said, “Ang reaksyon ng bansa natin imbes na ipagtanggol iyong mamamayan ng Pilipinas, parang sinisi pa at kinancel (Instead of defending its citizens, our country’s reaction is to throw blame and cancel [the diplomatic passport]).”
Robredo warns against cancellation of diplomatic passports of former gov’t officials HEY, BOBA, THAT IS PRECISELY WHY I HAVE ORDERED THE CANCELLATION OF ALL COURTESY DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS BECAUSE I REFUSE TO SINGLE OUT DEL ROSARIO. https://t.co/5VIXUMjlCs via @manilabulletin
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 24, 2019
Will someone please do her the kindness to give her a brain? Here I am trying to do what's right, which is to restrict diplomatic passports to real existing working diplomats so as not to devalue them abroad—and not pass them out as favors to retirees & friends. https://t.co/ME8599EeAU
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 24, 2019
In response, Locsin said on Twitter, “Hey boba, that is precisely why I have ordered the cancellation of all courtesy diplomatic passports because I refuse to single out Del Rosario.” Adding, “Will someone please do her the kindness to give her a brain? Here I am trying to do what’s right, which is to restrict diplomatic passports to real existing working diplomats so as not to devalue them abroad—and not pass them out as favors to retirees and friends.”
I don't mean to be disrespectful Ma'am. You are just a missing heartbeat away from the Presidency. I respect you for that accident of fortune. But there are things that require a measure of study & thought. Please ask me next time. At your service, Ma'am. https://t.co/ghTHGtwKeg
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 24, 2019
Locsin has since apologized, stating, “I don’t mean to be disrespectful Ma’am, you are just a missing heartbeat away from the Presidency. I respect you for that accident of fortune. But there are things that require a measure of study & thought. Please ask me next time. At your service, Ma’am.”
However, he remains in hot waters despite the apology. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, particularly, released a statement on Twitter condemning Locsin’s words.
“Ang ganitong klase ng panlalait at pambabastos ay walang puwang sa isang sibilisadong lipunan at lalo na na nanggagaling sa Kalihim ng Department of Foreign Affairs ang tanggapan na nangunguna sa pambansang diplomasya,” he wrote. (This type of disrespect does not belong in a civilized society, especially coming from the Secretary of DFA, the office which forefronts national diplomacy).
Ang ganitong klase ng panlalait at pambabastos ay walang puwang sa isang sibilisadong lipunan at lalo na na nanggagaling sa Kalihim ng Department of Foreign Affairs ang tanggapan na nangunguna sa pambansang diplomasya.
— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) June 25, 2019
“Ang naging kilos ni Secretary Locsin ay labag sa RA 6713 o ang Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Napaka unprofessional ng kanyang pang-iinsulto at panlalait at dapat siyang makasuhan at managot,” he adds. (Secretary Locsin’s actions violated RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. His insults were very unprofessional and a case needs to be filed against him as he should be held accountable.)
Do you agree with Sen. Pangilinan? Let us know in the comments section below.
Photo courtesy of DFA Philippines’ Instagram account
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