World · Philippines Bureau
Ex-Olongapo Mayor Clarifies Remarks on City Flooding Issue
Former Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Sr. has apologized for his tone in responding to a resident's question about the city's chronic flooding problem. Paulino said a viral video of the exchange misrepresented the context of his remarks.
LSN Philippines ·

OLONGAPO CITY — Former Mayor Rolen Paulino Sr. sought to clarify his comments regarding the city's recurring flooding issues after a video of his interaction with a concerned resident circulated widely on social media platforms.
The exchange prompted public reaction and drew scrutiny over how local officials address residents' concerns about the persistent drainage and flooding problems that plague the city. Paulino issued a statement acknowledging that his response's tone may have been misunderstood by viewers who saw only a portion of the conversation.
The former city official emphasized that the video clip did not capture the full context of his discussion with the resident about Olongapo's flooding challenges. He expressed regret for any offense caused by how his remarks were perceived when viewed in isolation.
Flooding remains a longstanding issue for Olongapo City, particularly during the monsoon season, affecting residents and businesses in various barangays throughout the city. Local government officials have previously cited infrastructure limitations and drainage system capacity as contributing factors to the problem.