MANILA (AFP) - President Benigno Aquino on Monday fought off accusations that he was partying with starlets as the Philippines was mourning hundreds of people killed by a storm.
The presidential palace said Mr Aquino briefly stopped by the traditional Christmas party of his elite security group at their compound on Sunday to show gratitude for their services.
'The president stayed for a little over 30 minutes. But he did not go up on stage, he did not sing, he did not dance. There was no partying,' the head of the presidential security group, Colonel Ramon Dizon, said in a statement.
Tropical storm Washi hit the southern island of Mindanao at the weekend, spawning swollen rivers, flash floods and landslides which left 652 dead with hundreds other missing, according to Philippine Red Cross figures
