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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCO: Private party for PBBM's birthday in Pasay hotel hosted by friends

PCO: Private party for PBBM's birthday in Pasay hotel hosted by friends

Published Sep 14, 2024 06:57 am

At A Glance

  • In a series of Facebook posts, Sasot hinted that taxpayers' money was used for the private concert and even urged Filipinos to head to the hotel and participate in the party.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that no public funds were used in a private party for President Marcos' 67th birthday celebration in a hotel in Pasay City on Friday, Sept. 13.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Argyll Geducos)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (file photo)

The PCO said this after social media personality Sass Sasot claimed in a series of Facebook posts that English pop band Duran Duran was flown in for a private concert for the President's birthday on Friday.

In a statement on Saturday, Sept. 14, the PCO said President Marcos had a busy day for his birthday and ended it with a party and a surprise musical performance organized by his friends.

"The President spent his birthday as just another busy day in the office, with the same dedication to his job that has marked his presidency," it said.

"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," it added.

Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez likewise denied that government funds were used for the party.

"At no cost to the government," he said in a text message on Saturday afternoon.

In a series of Facebook posts, Sasot, a known pro-Duterte vlogger, hinted that taxpayers' money was used for the private concert and even urged Filipinos to head to the hotel and participate in the party.

"Duran Duran, the Filipino people would like to know if you sang your 80's hit WHITE LINES during your PRIVATE CONCERT for the Philippine President BDAY, which Filipino taxpayers paid for," one of Sasot's posts read.

"Hwag kayong papayag na di kayo aattend ng Duran Duran private concert para sa BDAY ni BBM sa Manila Ballroom ng Marriot Hotel. PERA NYO YAN MGA TAUMBAYAN. Hala, lusob (Don’t allow yourselves to miss the Duran Duran private concert for President Marcos' birthday at the Manila Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel. That’s your money, people. Come on, go there)," another one read.

Based on Celebrity Talent International, a "buyer-oriented" booking agency, the cost of booking Duran Duran ranges from $750,000 to $999,998 for US dates. Rates for international dates vary based on factors such as location and length of time commitment to the event, among others.

Marcos had a busy day for his birthday on Friday. This included two events in Nueva Ecija.

"The President celebrated his birthday with his signature compassion for the needy and the sick, and his deep appreciation for the farmers who feed the nation," the PCO said.

"He traveled hundreds of kilometers to grant farmers a condonation of their debts and gifted them with a new financing program that will boost farm yields and farmers’ incomes. He ordered the payment of the bills incurred that day by qualified patients in third-level DOH (Department of Health) hospitals," it added.

The President likewise opened the gates of Malacañan to the public, where food booths awaited people from all walks of life came to greet him happy birthday.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos Sass Sasot Duran Duran President Marcos
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