Manila – Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. could have violated the ethics code after calling Vice President Leni Robredo “boba” on his social media post.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Locsin’s behavior towards Robredo was in violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“We strongly condemn his rude, contemptuous, and insulting language for VP Leni Robredo in social media,” said Pangilinan, president of the opposition Liberal Party.
“This kind of insolence and disrespect has no place in a civilized society and especially coming from the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the office primarily responsible for the country’s international diplomatic relations,” he added.
Pangilinan said that Locsin should be held accountable as his “insults and impertinence are very unprofessional.”
“This should not end in an apology, this should serve as a lesson to him and other officials who show disrespect for their fellowmen and women,” Pangilinan said. “He also puts the country at risk and shame with his actions and words.”
The tiff between Locsin and Robredo’s camp started after the Foreign Affairs chief canceled the diplomatic passport of former Foreign Affairs chief Albert del Rosario last week.
Locsin criticized Robredo on Monday on his Twitter account over her comments on DFA’s cancellation of diplomatic passports, then later apologized for “being disrespectful.”
Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez said Locsin should cancel his own diplomatic passport if he really wants to limit the privilege to “real, working diplomats.”
“Canceling ‘courtesy’ diplomatic passports after China refused to honor Sec ADR’s (Albert Del Rosario’s) is not promoting professionalism but justifying cowardice,” Gutierrez said.
“Besides, if (Locsin) really wanted to limit these passports to ‘real, working diplomats’ he should start by cancelling his own,” added Gutierrez./PN
