Palace: Marcos did not serenade First Lady during height of Habagat

The Palace on Tuesday clarified that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. did not sing a serenade to First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos at the height of the Southwest Monsoon rains that flooded many parts of the country.

In a video from former Vigan City mayor Jose Singson Jr., Marcos could be seen greeting his wife and serenading her. The video has garnered negative reactions from netizens, with many criticizing Marcos for seemingly partying as the country reeled from the effects of the Habagat.

However, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that this was not the case.

“Naganap po ang pagharana ng Pangulo, kay First Lady, hindi po ito iyong kasagsagan noong malakas na ulan, hindi po ito kasagsagan ng pagbaha,” Castro said on Tuesday.

(The serenade from the President, for the First Lady, is not during the height of the strong rains, it was not during the height of the floods.)

Castro said the narrative was twisted by detractors and obstructionists. She said the video was taken in the evening, when Marcos had already wrapped up his duties for the day.

However, she said it was understandable why some people would see the gesture as insensitive if this was the narrative that they were fed.

“Kung nagharana man ang Pangulo, para sa kanyang asawa at mga kasama ang ilang malalapit na kamag-anak, kaunting oras lang po ang ibinigay ng Pangulo, para sa kanyang pamilya,” Castro said.

(If the President did sing, this is for his wife and a few close family members, it is just a few hours given by the President for his family.) —RF, GMA News