Palace: Imelda’s Birthday Bash A Family Affair

President Marcos would “adhere to the law” when holding family gatherings inside Malacañang, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said, following criticisms on former first lady Imelda Marcos’ 93rd birthday celebration held there last Saturday, July 2, or two days after new Chief Executive assumed office.

“We assure you that the President will adhere to the law, and so that is the presumption. The President doesn’t need – no directive in excess of anything that is written in the law,” Angeles said during her first media briefing at the Palace on Monday, July 4.

Malacañang has no policy yet regarding holding social events inside the Palace, according to the new press secretary.

Photos of the celebration, reportedly held at the Rizal Hall, circulated on social media, with some expressing their concern over the possible return of lavish parties inside the traditional residence of the Philippine president.

“We acknowledge those concerns. There’s no policy yet in place and that’s all that we can really say about it. It was a family affair, and so I don’t know if a policy will be borne out of this one. But certainly, we will note that observation,” Angeles said.

The new press secretary maintained that the Office of the Press Secretary would only release statements “on issues where public interest/welfare is involved.”

She was asked again on Monday by members of the Malacañang Press Corps to comment on the matter.

“I think the question was in relation to two things: the birthday party and the greetings that appeared on a billboard, I understand. So the response of the office was that we don’t comment on those things. We comment on official policy, on the issuances of the President, on the statements of the President and so on,” she said.

“So, first of all, the billboard doesn’t appear to be public nor put up by any government agency. Then there is no comment coming from us,” she added.

She also gave assurance that Marcos would not use public funds for family parties inside Malacañang.

‘Simple merienda’

Belying that a grand party was held at Malacañang to celebrate their mother’s 93rd birthday, Sen. Imee Marcos maintained that the “very happy occasion” was just simple snacks with family and friends.

The senator said they celebrated Imelda’s birthday as not everyone would reach 93 years old.

She added that the Marcos matriarch was very happy as she was a wife of a president and now the mother of one.

“It’s our mother’s birthday party. It’s a very, very happy occasion. My mom turned 93. I don’t know if we will reach that age. And she spoke. It really makes the heart happy. She said, ‘I am the happiest person in the world. I became the mother of a president who was once the wife of a president, and I’m still alive’. So she was happy,” the senator said in English and Filipino.

“Well, it’s just a snack. Of course, my mother is 93, already old. When they say a party is like dancing, it’s not like that, because they’re also ancient. But yes, we had a get-together, very simple merienda with a small recital of old friends and scholars,” she added.

The senator maintained that the event was a small get-together among family and friends.

“We had a simple family and friends get-together. We just had a small get-together, and her musical and arts scholars performed a small recital for her. And she was very, very pleased,” she said.

“I’m sure everyone brought food as a matter of fact. It was quite funny. Also, all products are free. Is that forbidden? I do not know. Because I also had a birthday party when I was a kid there. Is that forbidden?” she added.