Palace: PNoy partied with PSG for only 30 minutes in 'Sendong' aftermath

Malacañang officials on Monday defended President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s presence at the Christmas party of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) on Sunday afternoon while the bodies of flood victims were piling up in Mindanao.    In a text message to reporters, Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communication Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO), said “the President dropped by the PSG party for a few minutes.”   Carandang said on Sunday the Cabinet cancelled its Christmas party but the PSG decided to push through with theirs because relatives of the soldiers had already flown in from the provinces.                  Another member of the President’s communication group, Manuel Quezon III, also confirmed Aquino’s presence during the PSG party.   “Checked and indeed there was a PSG party last night: it couldn't be cancelled (unlike annual Cabinet Xmas Party scheduled for tonight, which was cancelled yesterday afternoon, so funds could go to relief). President dropped by for 30 minutes to be with those who saved his life,” Quezon posted on his Twitter account. Tweeting about PNoy's partying The President’s supposed partying in the aftermath of Tropical Storm "Sendong" (international name: Washi)  sparked a debate on the propriety of the former’s actions in the midst of tragedy.   Actress Valerie Concepcion, who performed during the party, is believed to be the first person to make public Aquino’s attendance  through her tweet. "Yes, the President attended the gathering. I do not see anything wrong with that because it’s his obligation and responsibility being the head of Malacañang to be present and show his support for his hardworking employees and their respective families,” Concepcion tweeted at 3:21 a.m. on Monday.  “But I believe that it doesn’t mean that the President is not thinking of ways to help our kababayans in Mindanao,” she  also said. “Let’s not be too quick to judge.”