MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos online slammed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his birthday celebration at a hotel in Pasay City that featured a performance by English pop band Duran Duran.
On Friday, September 13, blogger Sass Sassot posted a photo of Duran Duran’s performance during a “surprise” party for the chief executive. This prompted the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to issue a statement, saying that the controversial event was “thrown by his old friends” after what was “a tiring day filled with official engagements.”
It wasn’t the first time netizens had been skeptical of the Marcoses’ luxurious lifestyle. Earlier this year, Marcos was called out after he took a helicopter to make it in time for an “unmissable” Coldplay concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
He also drew flak for flying to Singapore to watch the Formula One Grand Prix race shortly after a super typhoon hit the Philippines in 2022.
Netizens also questioned why the President’s friends would spend a large amount of money for his birthday, with some fearing that they might have ulterior motives.
Regardless of who had funded the party, some online users found the celebration insensitive to the plight of ordinary Filipinos.
The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees prohibits public officials and employees like Marcos to “solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties.” – Rappler.com