January 16, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos hosted a dinner for several senators and their spouses at the Bahay ng Pangulo on Monday, the same day the religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) held a “rally for peace” in Manila.
Almost all senators were present at the gathering based on the photo shared by the First Lady on Facebook yesterday.
Among those who attended the dinner – based on the photo – were Senate President Francis Escudero and wife actress Heart Evangelista; Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, Sherwin Gatchalian, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, Alan Peter Cayetano, Aquilino Pimentel III, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay and Robin Padilla.
Bahay Pangulo is the First Family’s official residence within the Malacañang complex in Manila.
Reports said Sen. Grace Poe was present during the dinner but was late for the group picture.
Not in the photo were Marcos’ sister, Sen. Imee Marcos as well as Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and former president Rodrigo Duterte’s allies, Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go.
Senator Marcos’ office said they did not receive an invitation.
Malacañang has yet to provide details about the dinner, which took place on the same day more than a million INC members – based on police estimates – gathered for the “National Rally for Peace” at the Quirino Grandstand.
The Palace has also not responded to queries on whether all senators were invited to the dinner.
In a chance interview at the Department of Budget and Management, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said he did not join Marcos’ dinner with the senators. He said the dinner was “usually a very social and private affair.”
INC earlier said the peace rally was held to support the President’s opposition to impeachment moves against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Asked to say something about the Palace dinner, senators said it was purely a social affair and politics was never discussed.
Senator Marcos said she did not receive an invitation to attend the dinner. Marcos is a supporter of the Vice President.
Hontiveros said she would not have attended anyway even if invited.
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