“Bakit sila lang? (Why just them?)”
House ways and means panel chair Rep. Joey Salceda on Wednesday asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to make the Singaporean Embassy in Manila explain the alleged exclusive deal the rich city-state made for music superstar Taylor Swift’s “Eras” concert tour.
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had alleged the city-state made an exclusive deal for Swift to perform only in Singapore and not in any other Southeast Asian countries.
“Some US$3 million (P168 million) in grants were allegedly given by the Singapore government to (concert producer) AEG to host the concert in Singapore. The catch was that they do not host it elsewhere in the region. If true, [this] isn’t what good neighbors do,” Salceda said.
The Albay lawmaker believes the Philippines should not “just let things like these pass.”
“We should still officially register our opposition. It also runs contrary to the principle of consensus-based relations and solidarity on which the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Nations) was founded… I think the DFA should send a note verbale to our counterparts in Singapore. Our countries are good friends,” Salceda added.
The 34-year-old Swift is holding her Eras Tour concerts in Singapore from March 2 to 9.