FL takes Chiz's wine glass at Palace reception

A video clip showing First Lady Liza Marcos drinking from the wine glass of Senate President Francis Escudero during last Wednesday's vin d'honneur is circulating online.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

The viral clip, spliced from a Radio Television Malacañang video and posted on social media, showed Liza taking the wine glass Escudero was holding, sipping the wine and then handing the glass back to him.

A longer version of the video showed that the incident happened as Liza and President Marcos entered the Malacañang ceremonial hall for the annual reception for diplomats.

Some social media users remarked that Escudero, who first look at the dramatic increase in the budget of the House from P16 billion - as reflected in the President's proposed budget to the final amount of P28 billion in the General Appropriations Act of 2024," Pimentel told The STAR yesterday.

He was referring to the proposed P16.58-billion House budget in the 2024 National Expenditure Program, which ballooned to P28.69 billion in the approved 2024 GAA.

Asked if he agrees with Senate President Francis Escudero that the building is too pricey, Pimentel said, "I agree with SP Escudero that we need to pause, study documents and then discuss the situation." The construction of the new Senate building is a "prime example of why stringent checks and balances are essential," said 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Gutierrez.

"The significant cost overrun calls for a reassessment to protect our nation's fiscal health," he added.