FILE – Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon admits curbing bad manners and words following presidential advice. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA
MANILA, Philippines — “Tone down” your language.
Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon on Wednesday admitted that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos once told him to curb his profanity.
In an interview on ANC Wednesday, Gadon dated the incident to the 2022 presidential race and said he decided to follow the “nice suggestion” regardless.
“I followed their advice. If you notice, I have been very silent on our media issuances and media statements. Even in fact, in my social media pages, I have been very, very silent on treating the opposition on our end,” said Gadon.
“I can say that I have obeyed the President and the First Lady. It was a nice suggestion anyway,” he furthered.
( Context and Background: The significance of Gadon’s admission that he took Marcoses’ counsel to “tone down” his language and behavior are many. For one, it shows the continued possibility for the Marcoses to exert influence over some in Philippine politics.
Gadon’s admission also emphasizes the need for public officials, especially leaders, to use appropriate language and conduct.
In a judgment issued on June 15, 2015, the Supreme Court removed Municipal Trial Court Judge Alexander Balut from office in Nueva Vizcaya for borrowing money from court collections, underscoring its stance that public workers are held to the highest standards of conduct at all times. – abc)
Disbarment
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court (SC) unanimously disbarred Gadon for “misogynistic, sexist, abusive, and repeated intemperate language.” It ruled that Gadon’s actions were “indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession.”
But the ruling, according to Gadon, will not affect his appointment as the Marcos administration’s anti-poverty czar because the position does not require a lawyer.
“I can say that this has nothing to do with how I will do the job,” he concluded.
Asked if he regrets his actions that led to his disbarment, Gadon said no.
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