By el Amigo
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. did not set aside his responsibilities while briefly celebrating First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’ birthday, Malacañang said Tuesday, as it rejected claims that the President held the gathering at the height of flooding and heavy rains.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President’s serenade for his wife came after he had finished his official activities. She said there was no severe weather at the time of the private family celebration.
Castro said the circumstances surrounding the event were misrepresented in posts and reports that circulated among the public.
She explained that the President was not serenading the First Lady during the period when Central Luzon and Metro Manila were experiencing the worst of the flooding.
“Hindi po ito ‘yung kasagsagan noong malakas na ulan, hindi po ito kasagsagan ng pagbaha,” Castro said, referring to what she called a narrative pushed by the President’s detractors and obstructionists.
Despite the brief family celebration, Castro said Marcos remained attentive to the developing weather situation and continued monitoring possible impacts on affected communities.
“Patuloy pa rin po naman ang kanyang pagmo-monitor kung ano ang maaaring maging lagay ng panahon,” she said.
Castro also recognized why some Filipinos viewed the President’s birthday gesture as inappropriate, saying their sentiments were understandable based on the version of events that reached them.
She stressed that the President spent only a limited amount of time with his family before continuing with his responsibilities.
“Hindi po nagpabaya ang Pangulo sa konting oras na ito na ibinigay para sa kanyang asawa,” she said.
According to Castro, Marcos’ brief personal time did not stop the government from responding to the needs of people affected by the rains and flooding.
She pointed to the President’s activities over the previous week, including during a holiday and periods when classes were suspended, as evidence that he remained focused on the situation.
“Sana makita rin po natin na sa buong linggo hanggang kahapon, kahit walang pasok at holiday, ang Pangulo po ay tutok,” Castro said.
She added that Marcos continued working to ensure that assistance and other necessities were provided to Filipinos affected by the adverse weather. ia/xf
