MANILA — The Presidential Communications Office confirms that international pop rock band Duran Duran performed at President Bongbong Marcos’ birthday party at a hotel in Pasay City on September 13.

“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 PCO said in a statement released on Saturday, September 14.

According to the PCO, the president spent his birthday working before attending the party.

“He 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. He ordered the payment of the bills incurred that day by qualified patients in third-level DOH hospitals,” PCO explained.

The PCO added, “He opened the gates of Malacañang, where 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.”

The PCO’s explanation came after pro-Duterte vlogger Sass Sassot claimed this Friday that Marcos had a “private party” at the Manila Marriott Hotel, where Duran Duran performed.

“Duran Duran, I know that it is included in your contract to keep this private concert VERY PRIVATE. But we have GMA News and Rappler to confirm that you were flown in to have a private concert for the birthday of Philippine President Bongbong Marcos. Please fact-check Vera Files. So difficult to get pics and videos…very demure, very cutesy, very exclusive,” Sassot wrote in her post.

📷 PCO, Bongbong Marcos FB