‘No public funds spent on Palace fashion show’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang defended yesterday a fashion show held inside the Palace last week, saying no public funds were used for the event.

Deputy social secretary Dina Arroyo Tantoco made the response following criticism of the fashion show dubbed “Isang Pilipinas,” which was held at the Goldenberg Mansion on Aug. 8, featuring the collection of fashion designer Michael Leyva.

“The government does not spend anything on the event because it is paid for by the designers and private institutions they partner with,” Tantoco said in a statement.

This was the third of the “Fashion at Goldenberg” series project of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Tantoco said the objective of the fashion show series is to provide a platform for Filipino artists to show their work in a historical setting “relevant to our cultural Identity.”

“The output is a collaboration between various creatives in the industry and creates awareness, thereby generating demand, for local fabrics and designs which have always been instrumental in our cultural identity,” she said. Militant farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said on Saturday the fashion show was inappropriate as the county “is deep in debt.”

KMP chairman Danilo Ramos earlier challenged other sectors to criticize the “extravagant” spending habit of the First Family.?He said the event happened after many Filipinos were affected by recent calamities and the rising prices of rice, food and other commodities.