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PNoy’s ‘partying’ in Sendong aftermath sparks debate on propriety
By PATERNO ESMAQUEL II
(Updated 1:03 p.m.) The President’s supposed partying in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sendong, as confirmed by an actress who attended the event, has sparked a debate on the propriety of his actions in the midst of tragedy.
President Benigno Aquino III attended the Christmas party for Malacañang employees on Sunday, said actress Valerie Concepcion who was invited to perform during the event.
“Yes, the President attended the gathering. I do not see anything wrong with that because it’s his obligation and responsibility being the head of Malacañang to be present and show his support for his hardworking employees and their respective families,” Concepcion tweeted at 3:21 a.m. on Monday.
“But I believe that it doesn’t mean that the President is not thinking of ways to help our kababayans in Mindanao,” she said. “Let’s not be too quick to judge.”
In a tweet, Communication Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III confirmed that a Christmas party took place Sunday night for the Presidential Security Group.
The party, however, “couldn’t be cancelled” unlike the annual Cabinet Christmas party originally scheduled tonight but “was cancelled yesterday afternoon so funds could go to relief,” Quezon said through his Twitter account @mlq3.
“[The] President dropped by for 30 minutes to be with those who saved his life,” Quezon said.
Earlier, in a tweet that has been deleted from Concepcion’s Twitter timeline but has been captured through screen grabs, the actress said, “It was nice to see PNoy laughing at my jokes and enjoying my performance.”
Concepcion has apologized for this tweet.
“If I, in any way, offended you guys and sounded insensitive, I am very sorry. It wasn’t my intention to do either. I can’t imagine how difficult life is for the people affected in Mindanao and how difficult it is to be the president of the Philippines at this moment,” she said.
‘Not her fault’
Journalist Inday Espina-Varona, however, said Concepcion “had no cause for apology.”
“She is an entertainer. She was earning her living. Any performer would be darn pleased to have the President of the Republic chortling at her wit,” Varona said in a blog entry Monday morning.
The party took place when the Philippine Red Cross had reported close to 600 deaths from Sendong, Varona noted.
She said Aquino’s supporters would argue that canceling the party “would not have helped victims of Sendong.” Varona acknowledged their point, as caterers and suppliers for major parties “usually collect most, if not all, of what they’re owed before an event.”
“Critics, however, say that the party hosts should have asked for a refund and donated the cash to agencies helping the displaced families. Indeed, many parties being held across the country last night became aid sessions where cash is collected,” the journalist added.
To the argument that Aquino did not need to seize photo opportunities as his predecessor did in times of calamity, Varona replied: “There is grandstanding. And then there is a genuine need for leadership gestures.”
Other netizens have given a mix of reactions on Aquino’s supposed partying (See Storify link below).
The name "Valerie Concepcion" is the Philippines' sixth most discussed or trending topic on Twitter as of posting time. Communication problem?
In previous calamities, a number of Filipinos had already criticized Aquino’s absence during relief operations.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, however, has defended Aquino by saying his concern for the victims “is not measured in his visibility in photo opportunities.”
The President has also said he prefers to focus on producing “results” over making his physical presence felt.
“The problem perhaps,” Varona explained, “is that Malacañang may not have realized that communication is a human need, not a weapon to be used in calibrated, calculated bites. Communication is part of a leader’s contract with his people. Communication can ease troubled waters – or churn them up like a hurricane.”
“That in a time of genuine crisis, the President did not reach out, is a major fumble. Not just because he failed to respond to a real need, but because he is his own best spokesman,” Varona said. –KG/RSJ, GMA News
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