Solon hits Marcos’ ‘extravagant’ birthday celebration

Metro Manila, Philippines – A lawmaker has hit President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “extravagant” birthday celebration, noting that public leaders should be “exemplars of humility and empathy.”

Marcos’ 67th birthday was celebrated at a five-star hotel on Friday. English pop rock band Duran Duran performed during the party. Malacañang noted that the event was organized by the president’s friends.

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House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said that the celebration amid the economic hardships of Filipinos shows the “stark contrast” between those in power and ordinary people.

"This ostentatious display during President Marcos' birthday, regardless of who footed the bill, is in extremely poor taste," she said in a statement on Sunday, Sept. 15.

"This event not only highlights the disparity in wealth but also downplays the suffering of the Filipino people," she continued.

The ACT Teachers Party-list representative also said that the generosity of Marcos’ friends cannot cover the “insensitivity” of a grand celebration.

Castro appealed to the government to display solidarity with the people it is serving.

During his birthday, the president visited farmers and launched the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program. He also paid for hospital bills of patients in all Level 3 public hospitals in the country.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.