Palace defends Liza's attendance in book launch, concert amid Tino onslaught

Malacañang on Tuesday defended First Lady Louise ''Liza'' Araneta-Marcos’ attendance at a book launching and a concert amid the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked for their response to criticisms directed at the First Lady’s events last week despite the typhoon wreaking havoc in several parts of the country. 

''Kapag sinabi po nating book launching, dapat malaman natin ano ba iyong nilalaman ng librong ito? Ito po ay pag-angat, pagkilala, pagpupunyagi sa mga nakaraang First Ladies ng bansa. Ito ay pagkilala sa mga angking talino, kagalingan na naiambag ng mga kapwa nating Pilipino,'' Castro said. 

(If we say that it's book launching, we should know the content of this book. This recognizes the former First Ladies, their skills and contributions for the Filipino people.) 

''Iyong mga events na dinaluhan po ng Unang Ginang ay hindi po isang party na pansarili lamang; hindi po ito pagdalo o pagpunta sa isang resort para mag-swimming; hindi po ito pagsusuot ng mga costume katulad ng Snow White para mag-party-party. Ito po ay pagkilala mismo sa kapwa natin Pilipino habang ang Pangulo naman po at ibang mga Cabinet Secretaries ay tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan.

(The events attended by the First Lady was not a party, it's not a visit to a resort for a swim, it's not attending a party wearing a Snow White costume. This is a recognition of the skills of fellow Filipinos and aside from that, the President and the other Cabinet secretaries are responding to the needs of the public.) 

To recall, the First Lady attended the book launch of “Philippine First Ladies’ Portraits” and the Goldenberg Concert Series musical event on November 6 and 7, respectively.

Castro said the activities of the First Lady did not hamper the response measures in preparation for the typhoon. —RF, GMA Integrated News