Push Admin

'Not relevant to ask who spent' for Marcos' Singapore trip to watch F1 races: Bersamin

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin takes his oath as Executive Secretary before Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Tuesday morning in this photo released on September 27, 2022. Office of the President" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/10/04/20220927-marcos-bersamin-op.jpg"/><figcaption>Former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin takes his oath as Executive Secretary before Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Tuesday morning in this photo released on September 27, 2022. <em>Office of the President</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA (UPDATED) — Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from criticism that taxpayers’ money was used to fund his recent trip to Singapore for the Formula One Grand Prix.</p><p>Under the administrative code, the President and his family are “regarded with such a great value,” Bersamin told reporters.</p><p>“You may not call that a state visit, but nonetheless it is not any less covered by that law which accords great importance and value to the welfare of the first family,” he said.</p><p>“You don&#x27;t need to be too particular where the funds were sourced kasi (because) he was still performing his job as president when he was abroad,” he said.</p><p>The former Chief Justice was also quick to dismiss criticisms that it was &quot;insensitive, unnecessary and irresponsible&quot; for Marcos to make the trip as millions of Filipinos are reeling from the effects of typhoon Karding, as Bersamin noted that the President is entitled to his own private time. </p><p>“So if the President is entitled to his private time, let’s assume na private time niya &#x27;yun because he chose to go there for a specific purpose, para manood primarily, but he could go there also for other purposes that are equally important,” he added. </p><p>(Let’s assume that was his private time because he chose to go there for a specific purpose, to watch primarily, but he could go there also for other purposes that are equally important.)</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/03/22/singapore-minister-confirms-marcos-watched-f1-grand-prix">Singapore minister confirms Marcos watched F1 Grand Prix</a></li></ul><p>Bersamin said Marcos met other heads of state and policymakers on the sidelines of one of the world’s most expensive races.</p><p>“It’s beyond issue. It’s not relevant at all to ask kung sino ang gumastos,” the former Chief Justice said.</p><p>(It’s not relevant at all to ask who shouldered the cost.)</p><p>“Basta he was doing something for us,” he said. </p><p>The official even suggested that Marcos&#x27; presence may have added more importance to the F1 Grand Prix.</p><p>“I don’t think he bothered anyone. He might certainly be invited there, because his presence there might have added some suspense, intrigue and importance to that event. Alam mo si President, naging matinee idol &#x27;yan,” he said.</p><p>Marcos on Monday described his unannounced trip as “productive.”</p><p>“They say that playing golf is the<a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/03/22/marcos-singapore-f1-grand-prix-best-way-to-drum-up-business"> best way to drum up business</a>, but I say it’s Formula 1,” the President said in a social media post a day after he returned to Manila from the city state.</p><p>Activist Renato Reyes Jr. had urged the administration to be more transparent about the details of the trip especially if the Filipino people are the ones footing the bill. </p><p>“First news reports that came out, it was a private jet. Then later on, we saw posts on Facebook saying that it was a Philippine Air Force Asset which was used. It was P2 bilion Gulf Stream jet supposedly with command and control capabilities, but was used for a leisure trip to Singapore by a president and his entourage,” said Reyes, secretary general of BAYAN. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/03/22/activist-on-marcos-latest-sg-trip-why-the-secrecy">Activist on Marcos&#x27; latest SG trip: &#x27;Why the silence? Why the secrecy?&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>“Who are paying for the other people on the president’s entourage? His son was there. The House speaker was there. Another member of the House was also seen at the place. They had plus ones. So who are paying for these? Tayo ba, taxpayers?” he asked.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/02/22/palace-mum-on-reports-marcos-in-singapore-to-watch-f1">Malacañang mum on reports Marcos flew to Singapore to watch F1 Grand Prix</a></li></ul><p>Marcos was also in Singapore on Sept. 6-7 for a state visit, his second overseas destination after assuming the presidency on June 30.</p><div><strong>- with a report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2272873" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

ES Bersamin defended President Marcos from criticism that taxpayers' money was used for his attendance at the Singapore Grand Prix.

'Not relevant to ask who spent' for Marcos' Singapore trip to watch F1 races: Bersamin

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

'Not relevant to ask who spent' for Marcos' Singapore trip to watch F1 races: Bersamin

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 04, 2022 07:26 PM PHT

|

Updated Oct 04, 2022 08:55 PM PHT

Read More:

BBM

Marcos

Bongbong Marcos

Marcos Jr

Ferdinand Marcos

F1

Lucas Bersamin

Singapore

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.