Partido Manggagawa (PM) calls for the resignation of urban poor commissioner, Zofia Canlas, at the center of the reported Paris fashion photo shoot controversy, describing the display of luxury and privilege as a gross insult to millions of Filipinos struggling to survive the worsening cost-of-living crisis.
“Fashion photo shoot sa Paris habang survival show ang buhay ng maralitang Pilipino! Habang ang mahihirap ay naghahanap ng pambili ng bigas, ang kanilang commissioner ay nagpapakasarap sa fashion capital of the world. What an outrageous display of insensitivity and misplaced priorities!” declared PM Secretary General Judy Miranda.
For PM, the issue is not simply whether the trip was official or personal, or whether public funds were used. It is an issue of propriety as a public official, even if travel is personal.
“Personal travel does not excuse public insensitivity. You cannot represent the urban poor in the anti-poverty commission and appear completely detached from the poverty, hunger, and daily suffering of the very people you are supposed to serve,” Miranda stressed.
The controversy becomes even more offensive against the backdrop of worsening economic hardship, not only in the Philippines but also in France, where protests have highlighted deep public discontent over economic and social conditions, including crises on education and housing.
Paris may be the city of lights, but no amount of glamour can conceal the darkness of poverty and inequality.
PM also noted the disturbing symbolism of Paris becoming associated with Filipino political personalities facing controversies back home. Names such as Zaldy Co and the mother-and-son political figures Loren Legarda and Leandro Leviste have figured in public controversies of different kinds.
“Paris seems to have become a symbol of comfort and privilege for some members of the political elite, while ordinary Filipinos have nowhere to escape from hunger, low wages, and rising prices. Ang mahirap, walang luxury of escape. Araw-araw nilang hinaharap ang krisis,” Miranda added.
The mandate of an urban poor commissioner at PCUP is to champion decent housing, livelihood, social protection, and the rights and welfare of marginalized communities—not to become a symbol of the elite lifestyle that stands in stark contrast to their suffering.
This is not a question of fashion. It is a question of fitness for public office.
“Kung mas komportable ka sa Paris fashion scene kaysa sa realidad ng mga maralitang Pilipino, then you have no business representing them in government as you have become a symbol of privilege and detachment,” Miranda said.
PM calls on the commissioner to resign. The public deserves a full explanation of the trip, including its funding.
“Hindi sapat na sabihing personal trip lang ito. Public office, even in the form of patronage from the appointing officer, is not a passport to privilege. Kung wala ka nang malasakit at pakiramdam sa kalagayan ng mahihirap, magbitiw ka na!”
PM, however, doubted President Marcos would order her expulsion from the Commission as he himself watched the recent F1 show in Singapore while the country is suffering from high inflation.
“Pero dapat ikahiya mismo ni BBM ang pag-appoint sa tulad niya. Kung hindi ay pareho lang silang kahiya-hiya sa mata ng publiko.”
Reference:
Judy Miranda
Secretary General
