The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) scoffed at the lavish party sponsored by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco in elite resort destination Balesin.

For all we know, Velasco’s grandiose birthday party is just a gathering of the Duterte camp and their political allies, Ramos said referring to Mayor Sara Duterte’s attendance to the exclusive island resort on a private plane. It was in Balesin that Sara Duterte announced her resignation from the political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

According to KMP chairperson Danilo Ramos, for ranking government official like House Speaker Velasco to have an opulent birthday celebration at a time of severe economic crisis is callous and imprudent. Farmers, workers, urban poor, and jeepney drivers are seeking for much needed aid or ayuda. Nakakagalit na makita ang mga lider ng gobyerno na namumuhay ng napakagarbo habang ang mayorya ng mamamayan ay naghihirap. Masahol pa, doon nag-uusap usap ngayon ang kampo ni Mayor Sara para ipinal ang politikal na kasunduan para sa pagkatakbo niya sa pambansang halalan.

This celebration is more enraging than the Mananita party of former PNP Chief Debold Sinas at the height of the COVID-10 lockdown last year, Ramos said. The minimum cost of club membership in the premium resort island starts at P3 million, and room rates reportedly cost P20,000 per night and higher. Balesin Island is located in Lamon Bay and is administered as part of the municipality of Polillo, Quezon.

The Duterte camp’s junket trip to Balesin says a lot about their character and lack of integrity, Ramos concluded. ###