Who spent for Marcos' 'big' delegation to Davos, Makabayan bloc asks

Members of the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives questioned the big delegation of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.  at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, according to Tina Panganiban-Perez’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday.

“Ang laki-laki naman nitong 70. Parang nakakahiya sa iba't ibang mga delegates doon sa Davos na meron lang mga less than 10 yung delegates nila,” House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT party-list said.

"Sinasabi na 17 mga Cabinet members lang. Plus yung kanilang mga asawa, yung kanilang mga kamag-anak, o kanilang mga associate, kasama rito. 'Yun dapat ay kuwestiyunin kung saan or kung saan nanggaling ang pondo na ginamit dito sa trip,” she added.

Gabriela partylist representative Arlene Brosas said that having too many in the entourage is “unacceptable” if their travel expenses came from the taxes of the Filipinos.

“Kung out of the pockets of the Filipino people yan at galing sa taxes natin yan, hindi po yon katanggap-tanggap para sa atin,” Brosas said.

The Palace has yet to release the official list of the Philippine delegation in the trip.

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos were included in the trip, based on Malacañang’s announcement and as seen by the GMA Integrated News in Davos.

Senator Mark Villar, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, his wife Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, and former president and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also joined the trip.

At least seven Cabinet secretaries and seven business tycoons were also included in the Philippine delegation.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the number of the President’s delegation is not huge, adding that they all have important roles in the trip.

“May mga kasama naman kaming mga businessmen importante yun. They also have to talk to their counterparts. Hindi malaki yung delegation, ok?” Diokno said.

“Eleven lang ang registered delegates ng Philippines, sabi ng ano natin Press Secretary. Eleven lang ang merong chapa,” Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said.

GMA Integrated News is trying to confirm the total number, list of names, and the travel expenses of the Philippine delegation for the trip.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News