MALACANANG came to the defense of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday, after videos circulated showing him singing at First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos’ birthday celebration while the country grappled with severe weather brought by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.
The footage drew public scrutiny as communities across Luzon and the Visayas faced heavy rains, flooding, and landslides, prompting questions about the President’s focus and priorities during a national weather emergency.
In an official statement, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the President remains fully engaged and continuously monitoring the situation despite the family gathering.
“The President is the President wherever he may be. Spending some time with his family does not mean that he stops performing his duties or that government operations come to a halt,” Castro emphasized. She added that even amid the intense rains, the President has been issuing directives to concerned agencies to ensure public safety and deliver immediate assistance to affected communities.
Castro’s remarks underscored that official oversight and disaster response operations have proceeded without interruption. The First Lady turned 67 on August 21, and in a separate social media post, the President described her birthday as “the most important day in the calendar.” The Palace’s response seeks to balance recognition of the family milestone with assurance that the President remains fully accountable and responsive to the needs of the public during ongoing inclement weather conditions.
metrosundaily
