CHILLAX IN CRISIS: How 20 LGU VIPs Turned Typhoon Uwan into a Frequent Flyer Fiesta

DILG Ban? More Like DILG Suggestion – The Memo They Never Read

Louis ‘Barok‘ C Biraogo — November 12, 2025

1. THE VIP EVACUATION: From Flood Zone to First Class in 60 Seconds

While the nation braced for Supertyphoon Uwan, 20 local chief executives were spotted at NAIA Terminal 3, passports in one hand, boarding passes in the other—bound for Germany, South Korea, and the UK. Their excuse? “Pre-approved travel.” Their timing? Catastrophic.

On November 8, 2025, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Memorandum Circular No. 2025-110, revoking all foreign travel authorities from November 9 to 15. No exceptions. No loopholes. No “but my hotel is non-refundable.”

Yet they flew.
They violated:

Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code), Section 465(b)(1)(ix): Governors shall execute emergency measures during disasters.
Republic Act No. 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act), Section 12(c): Local chief executives must be physically present during all disaster phases.
DILG MC 2025-110: A direct, lawful order.

Their defense?

“The dog ate my memo.”

**Memo dropped Friday, passports stamped Saturday—Typhoon Uwan never stood a chance against the frequent-flyer flood.**

2. THE REMULLA ROLLERCOASTER: Thunder Today, Apologist Tomorrow

Enter Secretary Jonvic Remulla—the man who wants to be both prosecutor and public defender.

He roars:

“I will get to the bottom of it… I will make sure…”

Then whispers about Governor Rodolfo Albano III:

“He’s just a victim of bad taste.”
“That’s just how Rodolfo talks.”
“Isabela was prepared!”

Mr. Secretary—which is it?

You stopped some of the 40 officials headed to South Korea. Good.
But when it comes to Albano, you fold faster than a politician’s promise.

Let’s not forget: You were mocked for your own “class suspension with jokes” posts during past storms. Now you defend Albano’s “just chill” as “just his style”?

Hypocrisy has a new face—and it’s wearing a DILG badge.

Your job isn’t to be liked.
It’s to enforce the law—without fear, favor, or political padrino privilege.

3. ALBANO’S “CHILL” DOCTRINE: Leadership via Apathy and Air Miles

Meet Governor Rodolfo Albano III—the man who told a flood-ravaged nation to “just chill”, then, when criticized, said:

“I don’t care.”
“I didn’t read it.”

This isn’t just tone-deaf.
This is Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials), Section 4(a)—public office is a public trust—torn up, spit on, and used as a coaster in a Munich beer hall.

His excuse?

“I was in Germany for an agricultural fair.”

Translation:
“While my province faced a super typhoon, I was learning about combine harvesters.”

Was a trade show more urgent than his legal duty under RA 10121 to chair the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council?
No. Next question.

Delegation? The vice governor may have been “ready,” but the law says the GOVERNOR leads—not the runner-up.

4. THE PROSECUTION BLUEPRINT: How to Nail Them to the Wall (Legally)

Stop “studying.” Start charging.

Administrative Charges (Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service):

Gross Neglect of Duty – Sec. 46(A)(2)
Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service – Sec. 46(B)(8)

Penalties:

1st offense: 6 months – 1 year suspension
2nd offense: Dismissal + perpetual disqualification

Criminal Liability (Revised Penal Code):

Article 208 – Dereliction of Duty
Article 365 – Criminal Negligence (if absence = delayed response = deaths)

Key Question:

If one missing mayor meant one less rescue boat, one delayed evacuation, one more death—shouldn’t this be more than a memo?

Supreme Court Precedent:

Gonzales v. Office of the President (G.R. No. 196231, Sept. 4, 2012)

“Public office demands the highest sense of responsibility. Failure during crisis = dismissal.”
Kweba ni Barok

Do it.

5. THE FLOOD OF CONSEQUENCES: When Elites Fly and Trust Drowns

This isn’t just 20 officials.
This is a culture of entitlement drowning public faith.

While first responders waded through floodwater,
While barangay captains distributed relief in the dark,
While families clung to rooftops—

Our leaders were in Frankfurt, Seoul, and London.

The message?

“Your survival is optional. Our itinerary is sacred.”

This erodes public trust, chills future preparedness, and tells every LGU worker:

“If the boss can skip town, why shouldn’t I?”

6. THE BAROK VERDICT: Fire, Disqualify, Remember

Verdict:

They didn’t just break a memo.
They broke the covenant of public service.
They turned leadership into a loyalty program.

Recommendations:

To Secretary Remulla:
Sanction every single one. No allies. No excuses. Enforce or resign.
To the Office of the Ombudsman:
Launch a motu proprio probe. Subpoena manifests. Grill delegates. Make examples.
To the Public:
Remember their names.
→ Albano. Frasco. Rama. Santiago. Aquillano. Ginoo-Monleon. Quiño.
Fire them in 2028.
Because if we don’t, the next storm won’t just take lives—
It’ll take what’s left of our democracy.