PCO Secretary Cesar Chavez —PTV FB photo
After spending the early part of his 67th birthday distributing a total of P3.19 billion in government aid in the provinces, President Marcos capped the occasion with a party at a hotel in Pasay City on Friday night.
But Malacañang had to issue a statement the following day to explain that “old friends” of Mr. Marcos—not the government—paid for the party that included a performance by the English pop rock band Duran Duran.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the appearance of Duran Duran, who are best known for their hits in the 1980s, came as a “surprise” to the President.
‘A tiring day’
The PCO issued the statement after a political blogger, Sass Rogando Sasot, posted on her Facebook page what was described as a photo of the band playing on stage Friday night.
The PCO statement on Saturday began with a summary of Mr. Marcos’ activities during his birthday and mentioned the British band only at the very end.
“After a tiring day filled with official engagements, he attended a party thrown by his old friends at a hotel in Pasay, and to his surprise and appreciation, music was provided by Duran Duran,” the PCO said.
In a message sent later to Palace reporters, PCO Secretary Cesar Chavez said the party was held “at no cost to the government.”