The House of Representatives Employees Shun Uniforms Amid Rising Public Anger Over Corruption
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – The House of Representatives is facing a wave of public anger so intense that many of its employees have chosen to stop wearing their uniforms out of fear of being confronted in public.
Employees of the House of Representatives (HOR) have temporarily stopped wearing their official uniforms to work in an effort to avoid public anger and judgment. This decision comes in the wake of growing outrage over widespread corruption in the country, particularly involving alleged anomalies and irregularities in government flood control projects.
According to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, several workers and staff members of the House have decided not to wear their uniforms out of fear of being confronted or singled out by the public. “Alam kong hindi madali ang sitwasyon ng Kongreso sa panahong ito. Mabigat ang hamon sa ating institusyon at maging sa bawat isa sa atin,” Dy said.
He added, “May nabalitaan nga po ako na may mga kasamahan tayong kailangang magpalit o mag-alis ng uniporme bago pumasok dahil sa takot na mapag-initan habang nagko-commute papunta dito sa Kongreso.”
Dy admitted that public trust in Congress has declined but emphasized that this should serve as a reminder to work harder and regain people’s confidence. “Masakit mang tanggapin, talagang bumaba ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa ating institusyon. Pero ito rin ay paalala na mas kailangan nating pagbutihin ang ating trabaho at ibalik ang tiwalang iyon sa pamamagitan ng tapat na paglilingkod,” he said.
He also expressed encouragement to House employees who continue to serve despite the challenges. “Walang batas na maipapasa at walang sesyon na maisasagawa kung wala ang inyong sipag at dedikasyon. Walang katumbas na salita ang aming pasasalamat. Muli, maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo,” Dy added.
“Ito ang paalala na sa Kongreso, walang nag-iisa. Lahat tayo ay may mahalagang papel, mula sa mga mambabatas hanggang sa mga simpleng kawani, upang magtaguyod ng isang makabayan, tapat at maaasahang paglilingkod,” he said.
Meanwhile, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon also ordered employees not to wear their prescribed uniforms after reports of “bullying” and “harassment.” “Ang pinakamasakit na tinatamaan dito sa lahat ng nangyayaring ito, dahil sa ilang mga masasamang mga tao dito sa DPWH, ay yung mabubuting tao dito sa DPWH na mas nakararami,” Dizon said. “Kawawa naman sila. Kapag sumasakay sila sa MRT, sa jeep, sa bus, naka-DPWH uniform sila, hina-harass sila.”
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