First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos had no ill intent in posting about her "birthday sabbatical," Malacañang said, as she acknowledged the criticisms and opinions regarding her social media post.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the First Lady respects the opinions about the timing of her social media post and recognized them.

"Nauunawaan po natin kung may ilang mga hindi po nasiyahan sa timing o paraan ng pagkakasulat ng post ng ating First Lady (We understand that some people may not have been pleased with the timing or the way our First Lady’s post was written)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

"Karapatan ng bawat isa na magkaroon ng sariling opinyon at ito naman po ay mahalaga at pinakikinggan po ni First Lady ang lahat ng opinyon para malaman niya kung ano ang nararapat na ano pang tulong, batikos, ay kailangan ito malaman (Everyone has the right to have their own opinion, and these opinions are important. The First Lady listens to all views so she can know what is appropriate and what further assistance or criticism she needs to be aware of)," Castro added.

The Palace official further said: "Ngunit sa mga nagdamdam sa post na ito, naiintindihan po namin ang inyong damdamin (However, to those who were upset by this post, we understand your feelings)."

The First Lady drew backlash over the timing of her birthday post amid the heavy traffic and rainfall caused by the habagat on Monday.

The Palace spokesperson said the First Lady had no ill intent in her post, adding that she just wanted to convey that every day is important, no matter the hardships.

"Nais lamang ipahatid ng birthday post na ito ang kahalagahan ng bawat araw at bawat taon na bigay ng Panginoon kahit ano pang dilubyo o pagsubok ang kinakaharap natin (The birthday post was simply intended to convey the importance of every day and every year that the Lord gives us, regardless of whatever hardships or trials we may be facing)," Castro said.

"Sa mga na-offend o sumamaa ang kanilang damdamin sa pag-post na ito, walang ibig na ipahiwatig na negatibo ang ating First Lady kundi para ipabatid lang na ang isang kaarawan habang tayo ay nabubuhay ay mahalaga na ipagpasalamat sa ating Maykapal (To those who were offended or felt hurt by the post, our First Lady did not intend to convey anything negative. She simply wanted to express that a birthday, while we are alive, is something important to be thankful for to our Creator)," Castro added.

Castro assured the public that the programs the First Lady spearheads and the work she has been doing will continue to be carried out.

"Huwag po kayong mag-alala dahil tuloy-tuloy po ang pagtatrabaho at pagbibigay ng assistance at ayuda ng pamahalaan para sa ating mga kababayan na nakaranas ng hindi kanais-nais na trapiko, pagbaha kahapon (Please do not worry, as the government’s work continues, including providing assistance and aid to our fellow Filipinos who experienced severe traffic and flooding yesterday)," Castro said.

She emphasized that the "First Lady does not fall short in extending help" and that she has been in various places to provide assistance to those in need through her programs, even before the ongoing heavy rains across the country.

"Ngunit bago po kasi dumating ang masamang panahon na ito, ay abala si First Lady sa mga gawain para sa ating mga kababayan. So nais din po natin itong ipabatid sa ating mga kababayan dahil bago nga po dumating itong malakas na bagyo kahapon, ay nagkakaroon na po at gumagawa na po ng aksyon ang ating First Lady, kabilang na rito yung pamamahagi ng rice assistance sa mga senior citizen sa Negros Occidental (Before this bad weather arrived, the First Lady was already busy carrying out activities for our fellow Filipinos. We also want to make this known to the public because even before the powerful storm hit yesterday, the First Lady had already been taking action, including distributing rice assistance to senior citizens in Negros Occidental)," Castro said.

"At may bagyo man o walang bagyo, nakikita po natin ang pagtulong ng ating First Lady sa pamamagitan ng Lab for All (And whether there is a storm or not, we continue to see the First Lady helping our fellow Filipinos through LAB for All)," she added.

Castro further said the First Lady continues to work, mostly behind the scenes.

"Hindi niyo man siya nakikita madalas, pero behind the scene, alam natin kung ano po ang nagagawa ni First Lady at katuwang po siya ng ating Pangulo (Even if you do not often see her, we know what she does behind the scenes, and she continues to support and assist the President)," she said.

The Palace mouthpiece also said that the First Lady has yet to celebrate her birthday with her family, and was "simply taking some time to think about herself for once because she has really been doing so much."