Palace defends P22.9-B ASEAN budget, says preparations are for PH, not Marcos

'ANG PANGULO BA ANG NAGPAPAGANDA SA SARILI NIYA?'

Malacañang defended the P22.9-billion budget for the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit after BAYAN President Renato Reyes criticized the public spending, saying Filipinos were made to “suffer” because of what he described as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “vanity.”

In a press briefing, Palace Undersecretary Claire Castro rejected Reyes’ remarks, saying the preparations were not meant to make the President look good but were being undertaken for the country and the Filipino people.

Castro also justified the spending, saying the preparations aim to present the Philippines as a credible country where other nations can pursue business, investments, and other opportunities. (Video courtesy of RTVM)

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2026/11/12/palace-p229-billion-asean-hosting-budget-is-money-well-spent

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