MANILA, Philippines — A viral video showing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. singing during a birthday celebration for First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has triggered renewed debate online, as several parts of Luzon grapple with severe flooding and relentless rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat.
But Malacañang pushed back against criticism on Sunday, insisting that the President’s time with his family did not mean the government had stopped responding to the unfolding weather emergency.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos continued monitoring the situation and directing government agencies to provide assistance to communities affected by the heavy rains.
“The President is the President wherever he may be,” Castro said, stressing that spending a few hours with family does not mean the President has abandoned his responsibilities or that government operations have come to a halt.
The Viral Video—and an Important Timeline
The videos circulating online showed Marcos singing during a celebration for the First Lady, who turned 67 on August 21. The footage was shared on social media by former Vigan City Mayor Jose “Bonito” Singson Jr.
However, reports from other news outlets clarified an important detail that has fueled the online debate: the gathering where the video was recorded reportedly took place on August 26, days before widespread flooding intensified across parts of Luzon on August 29 and 30.
The distinction does not erase public concerns over the imagery and timing of the video’s circulation, but it provides additional context to claims suggesting that the footage was recorded while the worst flooding was already unfolding. At the time of the celebration, the Southwest Monsoon was already affecting parts of the country, with weather authorities forecasting rains in several areas.
Flood Emergency Intensifies Across Luzon
The controversy comes as the Philippines faces another serious round of monsoon rains, with flooding reported in Metro Manila and several provinces, including Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan and Tarlac.
The weather situation remained severe on Sunday. Metro Manila recorded 186 millimeters of rainfall over a 23-hour period, according to data cited by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, while authorities warned of continued flooding in vulnerable communities.
The impact has also been felt beyond the capital. In Tarlac, heavy rains and strong river currents contributed to bridge collapses, while search and rescue operations continued for missing passengers after a vehicle fell into a river.
Government Agencies Remain on Alert
Even as the viral video dominated social media conversations, disaster-response operations continued on the ground.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has been distributing relief assistance to affected communities, including more than 60,000 family food packs released to Central Luzon, according to the agency. Mobile kitchens were also deployed to help displaced families in evacuation centers.
The DSWD had earlier been placed on heightened alert as government agencies prepared for the prolonged effects of the Habagat and other weather disturbances affecting the country.
PAGASA, meanwhile, warned that the Southwest Monsoon would continue bringing rains to parts of Luzon and the Visayas, keeping authorities and residents in affected areas on high alert.
A Viral Moment Meets a National Crisis
The controversy underscores how quickly a single viral video can become politically charged during a national emergency.
For critics, the images of a President singing while Filipinos battle floods created a painful contrast. For Malacañang, however, the footage does not tell the full story of the government’s response, with the Palace maintaining that Marcos continued to oversee and direct disaster operations despite spending personal time with his family.
The debate is likely to continue online—but for thousands of Filipinos facing flooded homes, disrupted travel and possible evacuations, the more urgent question remains whether government assistance can reach affected communities quickly enough.
As rains continue to pound parts of the country, the spotlight is now not only on a viral video—but on the response unfolding behind the scenes.
Leave a Reply