First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos is facing online criticism after her social media post about taking a break drew comparisons to the ongoing flooding crisis affecting thousands of Filipinos.

The backlash came after Araneta-Marcos announced her weeklong "birthday sabbatical" last Monday, August 17. 

"Happy Monday, everyone! Excited to start my birthday sabbatical. No makeup. No hairspray. No terno. No heels. No speeches. No official photos. No meetings. No schedule. No stress. Just me & Mother Nature. Time to slow down, recharge and enjoy the quiet. Stay safe & dry, everyone! See you next Monday!" she wrote, alongside a photo of herself in a garden setting.

Critics online questioned the timing of the post, pointing out that Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon and the Visayas were dealing with flooding and disruptions caused by the southwest monsoon which has brought persistent rains since the start of August.

The sabbatical comes ahead of the First Lady's 67th birthday on August 21. 

This is not the first time she has taken a similar break, she has done so in past years as a pause from her duties as First Lady.

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