Palace: Marcos performed job as President in Singapore

Malacañang on Tuesday defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s trip to Singapore over the weekend to attend a Formula 1 racing event.

In an interview with reporters, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin indicated that one didn’t have to be too concerned about the cost of the trip as Marcos still performed his duties as Chief Executive.

“I am sure if that was the trip of the President, you don't need to be too particular about where the funds were sourced… He was still performing his job as President when he was abroad, although that is not an official state visit," Bersamin said.

"He met there with many people who were very relevant to our business activities or the running of our government here. Whether it was a fully-paid trip or not is irrelevant," he added.

Bersamin said he was not privy to the funding of the trip.

Asked why the trip was kept a secret before he left the country, Bersamin said, “Security."

“Baka mamaya abangan siya sa Singapore… There are so many things that you cannot publish beforehand,” Bersamin said.

Bersamin said Marcos trip to Singapore was important even if it was not an official visit.

"Let's assume na private time niya 'yun kasi he chose to go there for a specific purpose na manood, 'yun ang primary niya," Bersamin said.

"Pero he could go there also for other purposes, equally-important, you may not call that a state visit nonetheless, it's not any less covered by that law which holds great importance and value to the welfare of the First Family," he added.

Bersamin also said there was nothing wrong if public funds were used in the trip.

"If public funds were spent, walang problema diyan. Kasi that was also a trip undertaken for the interest of the Philippines," he said.

Not contrary to morals

Bersamin believed that the trip was not "immodest," saying Marcos' presence in the F1 Grand Prix could have added significance to the event.

This was his response when asked if Marcos' trip did not violate Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which states public officials and employees and their families should "lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income." 

"What is a immodest about it? Baka libre pa nga 'yun, I don't think he bothered anyone but he must have been invited there because his presence there might have added some suspense and some intrigue and importance to that event," Bersamin said.

"Alam niyo our President naging matinee idol na, eh. His presence in an event like that would be well-appreciated and it might have attracted more audience, audience-wise. It's not immodest, it's not contrary to morals eh. Private time 'yan," he added.

House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos, son of President Marcos, was also at the event on Saturday as seen in a photo uploaded on the official website of the Singapore Grand Prix.

First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos was also there.

Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. had criticized Marcos for his Singapore trip, saying it was “insensitive, unnecessary and irresponsible” of the President, considering that the Philippines was in the midst of an economic crisis. —NB, GMA News