PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s "old friends" organized the party for his 67th birthday at a Pasay City hotel, Malacañang said on Saturday. "After a tiring day filled with official engagements, he attended a party thrown by his old friends at a hotel in Pasay, and to his surprise and appreciation, music was provided by Duran Duran," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement, referring to the British pop-rock band that made waves in the 1980s. The statement was issued after a vlogger alleged on Facebook that Marcos used public funds to hold a private birthday party at the Manila Marriott Hotel and even flew the band to perform for him. The PCO said Marcos spent his birthday "as just another busy day in the office, with the same dedication to his job that has marked his presidency." Earlier in the day, Marcos spent time with Filipino farmers in Nueva Ecija province, leading the launch of the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program in Guimba town and the distribution of certificates of condonation with the release of mortgage to agrarian reform beneficiaries in Palayan City. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the launching of the 'Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid' Program in Guimba, Nueva Ecija on friday, where the president also lead the turnover of essential farm machinery and equipment to beneficiaries from Region Ill (Central Luzon). The Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program is a credit facility offering low-interest loans to help farmers access necessary funds for their agricultural needs. PPA POOL / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ Marcos "traveled hundreds of kilometers to grant farmers a condonation of their debts and gifted them with a new financing program that will boost farm yields and farmers' incomes," the PCO added. Marcos also announced that qualified patients would enjoy free medical services in third-level public hospitals on his birthday. The "Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat" program was conducted nationwide as part of Marcos' birthday celebration. Through the program, Marcos extended P3.19 billion in financial assistance and government services in 82 provinces. The PCO said Malacañang also opened its gates, and "food booths awaited people from all walks of life who came from near and far to greet him a happy birthday." "The President celebrated his birthday with his signature compassion for the needy and the sick and his deep appreciation for the farmers who feed the nation," it said.
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