Following his talked-about photo on the OFW IDs released by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), President Rodrigo Duterte declined to have his face appear on any government initiative or program.
Instead of his photo, he said agencies may opt to use images of Philippine national heroes to emphasize their significant contribution to the country.
The president, during the Malacanang Press Corps Christmas party, warned officials: “I am requiring everybody, if you want to show a sense of loyalty to the country, display the paintings ng mga heroes natin.”
He did not single out the issue about DOLE’s OFW ID, but he reiterated that flattering him cannot win him over, but their performance.
He also instructed to echo his message across all government agencies in the country and said that putting his photo would not flatter him.
“Mas magtrabaho ka, mas maliligaya ako sa iyo. That is really the truth,” said Duterte.
“You cannot flatter me with my picture, titindig ang balahibo ko niyan, lalo kitang – walang performance siguro ito, binabawi ito sa…,” said Duterte.
“Pakiulit lang ’yan kasi ang titigas ng ulo,” the president added.
Malacanang has earlier denied president’s knowledge of his photo appearing on the OFW IDs.
Labeled as his ‘best gift’ to millions of OFWs, the ID is currently only available for returning OFWs (balik-manggagawa) as it is just in initial phase of issuance, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
Bello said the limited issuance of the OFW ID, for now, is only intended to further test and secure the features of the system.
“This is only the first phase of implementation and will cater first to our Balik-Manggagawa until the system is ready for all OFWs. We are doing this to secure the database and for further improvements in the system,” Bello earlier said.
