By means of Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. may have broken the law for accepting a September 13 birthday party hosted by “old friends” that featured 1980s British pop-rock band Duran Duran carried out, according to political analysts.
The concert gift for the president’s 67e Celebrating the anniversary violates the country’s code of conduct for public officials, they said, adding that the presidential palace should apologize and reveal the event’s sponsors.
According to the Celebrity Talent International website, Duran Duran charges as much as $1 million per booking.
The palace did not immediately respond to a Viber message seeking comment.
Last weekend the Presidential Communications offiCe said Mr. Marcos celebrated his birthday “with his characteristic compassion for the needy and the sick, and his deep appreciation for the farmers who feed the nation.”
“After a tiring day of official engagements, he attended a party hosted by his old friends at a hotel in Pasay, and to his surprise and appreciation, the music was provided by Duran Duran,” the statement said.
Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a lawyer and research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, said Section 7 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials states that government officials and employees “shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value of any person in the discharge of his official duties or in connection with any operation regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by, the functions of their office.”
Presidential Decree No. 46, a decree signed by none other than Mr. Marcos’s father and namesake, states that it is “punishable for any public official or employee, whether of national or local government, to directly or indirectly, and for private persons to give or present on any occasion any gift, present or other valuable object.”
“Even if presidential immunity prevails in this case, that argument should still be made,” Yusingco said in an email. “Right now, the injustice that needs to be corrected goes beyond what the law requires.”
“It’s about doing the right thing in the context of our problems with patronage politics, graft and corruption, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.”
FATHER’S ‘EXTRAVAGANCE’
He said Filipinos should reject political leaders who behave in such an “irresponsible and tone-deaf manner.” “The government must apologize to the public for organizing or allowing such a lavish event to be organised.”
Philip Arnold P. Tuaño, dean of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government, noted that while it is not clear whether the president was aware of the concert before entering the Pasay hotel, “it would have been best if he had already informed his friends and associates that organizing elaborate entertainment events has no place in his government.”
Doing so would show he is promoting the code, which calls on government officials to live ordinary lifestyles, he said in an email.
“By constantly reminding his official family in government, as well as their associates, of the need for simplicity of lifestyle, the President can promote a culture of prudence, modesty and responsibility,” he said.
“This would help avoid even the appearance of impropriety, strengthen public trust and ensure that the government’s actions are in line with the values of transparency and good governance,” he added.
Terry L. Ridon, a lawyer and former party-list lawmaker, said the presidential palace should not downplay the concert as merely a gift from the president’s friends.
“Malacañang must disclose the identity of the private sponsors of the event and a full accounting of the costs must be made available so that the public can clearly determine whether the ban on receiving gifts has been violated,” he said in an email .
He said the private sponsors should have had “simple political acumen.” “The fallout from the event had clearly embarrassed the president and dented his political capital amid intense domestic political intramural conflict with his former electoral allies,” he added.
Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, who teaches political science at De La Salle University, said impeachment is unlikely to gain ground in the House of Representatives.
“As for the general public, the opposition would take this as a reference to Marcos Sr.’s extravagance,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
A pro-Duterte vlogger reported on the Duran Duran performance for Marcos and accused the president of bringing the British band to the country with public funds.
Mr. Borja said the president’s supporters would “simply swallow the palace’s apology and regard it as a private expression of the Filipinos’ love for parties and grand celebrations.”
A Social Weather Stations poll published last week showed the Marcos government’s rating rising from a “moderate” +29 in March to a “good” +40 in June.
The June 23-July 1 poll showed that 62% of adult Filipinos were satisfied, 22% dissatisfied and 15% neutral about the government’s performance.