New York reception cost is nowhere close to P1 million, Roque assures

FILE Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque refuted claims on Thursday that he spent P1 million for the reception intended for the representatives of several foreign missions in New York, United States (US).

The cocktail party was held at the Aretsky’s Patroon restaurant in Manhattan on October 30.

“I can assure you it is nowhere close to the amount of the claim of P1 million. I can assure you that if it were P1 million, I will be the one to object to it,” Roque noted during ANC’s Headstart.

According to the spokesman, the party was “modest” and the “cheapest way” to gather people.

“It was a very modest cocktail party because it’s the cheapest way to have people come to your functions and we are very proud that the general feedback is our reception was generally, not only well-attended, but it has the most diverse attendees coming from all continents of the world,” he said.

Roque was in the US to attend the United Nations (UN) International Law Week.

He was also nominated by the Philippine government to the International Law Commission whose members are elected by the UN General Assembly which is headquartered in New York.

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JPV