Screengrab from the Facebook page of the Municipality of Dalaguete
Malacañang on Thursday said members of the President’s “immediate family are allowed to ride with him in official government vehicles.”
The Palace issued the statement after critics of the administration protested the use of the presidential helicopter by President Aquino’s youngest sister, TV host-actress Kris Aquino, reportedly during a campaign sortie for Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas and running mate Leni Robredo in Argao town in Southern Cebu on Tuesday, alleging it was a case of misuse of government resources.
Because he is a bachelor, the President’s sisters— Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Viel Aquino-Dee and Kris—are considered his immediate family and have been taking turns standing in the role of first lady in official functions.
Mr. Aquino also turned wistful in explaining why he was happy to show his sister around the country with only a little over two months left in his term.
In an interview in Lipa City, the President told reporters that Kris was only a year old when martial law was declared and practically grew up seeing their family at their lowest point as they suffered from the abuses of the dictatorship.
“I want to show her—look at the results of the democracy that our parents fought for, it was a fight that was meaningful and relevant,” the President said.