WHAT’S WRONG with a surprise birthday party thrown for the country’s highest official by his old-time friends?
So, what if it featured English pop rock band Duran Duran that was flown in to perform during the private birthday bash? Is it even any of our concerns if the cost of booking one of the top hit makers during the 80s, according to a sample fee from the international celebrity booking agency Celebrity Talent International, ranges from $750,000-$999,998 or about P42 million to P55 million?
Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez came quickly to the President’s defense, assuring the Filipino taxpayers that the said the party was held “at no cost to the government.”
Even if this were the case, the law is clear. I could think of two laws that Marcos may have violated: Republic Act No. 6713, and Republic Act No. 3019.
First, RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Section 7(d) states that they “shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.”
On the other hand, RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Section 3(b) states that corrupt practices include “directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the Government and any other party, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law.”
I am no law expert. But these two are among the laws frequently cited in graft and corruption cases involving government officials. The last time I checked, violation of these laws is ground for impeachment.
So now, the question is, who are these old-time friends who foot the bill for the lavish celebration as a gift for their beloved President? Strangely enough, Chavez could not provide these details. Make no mistake, these are definitely no ordinary Filipinos who just found themselves becoming overly gracious to their friend that they decided to spend millions of pesos for a birthday feast. Are they expecting something in return, or they already reaping and enjoying the rewards of their generosity?
For the record, this is not the first time that the country has seen the President’s ostentatious display of wealth – a trait that his family has carefully mastered with precise cunning.
Shortly after super typhoon Karding hit the country in September 2022, the President flew to Singapore to enjoy his VIP seat and watch the Formula One Grand Prix race.
Early this year in January, Marcos drew flak when he took a helicopter to avoid the heavy traffic so he could make it in time for a Coldplay concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, a musical event he himself considered “unmissable.”
Appalling. Insensitive. Unethical. Immoral.
Filipinos who find nothing wrong with this surprise 67th birthday celebration of President Bongbong Marcos at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on September 13 should start realizing that their continued apathy remains the perfect breeding ground for the vicious cycle of poverty in the country. They should also start blaming themselves why corruption in government remains exactly like the problem of poverty – irreparable, endless and totally disastrous for generations to come.
