Manila - More than 240 people fell ill and were rushed to
hospital on Wednesday for alleged food poisoning at a birthday party
for former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos, authorities said.
The victims, who suffered from dizziness, vomiting and diarrhoea,
were brought to 10 hospitals in the city of Pasig near Manila,
according to Bryan Wong, head of the city's emergency response
office.
They were among some 2 500 guests who gathered at a sports complex in
Pasig to celebrate Marcos a day after her 90th birthday, which was on
Tuesday.
Marcos, the widow of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was seen
shaking hands with some of the guests at the party before the people
became sick.
The former first lady is notorious for her extravagant lifestyle -
which included owning 3 000 pairs of shoes - during her late
husband's 20-year rule.
According to the Philippine National Red Cross, guests at her party
got ill after eating from food packs which contained boiled egg,
chicken adobo (stew) with potatoes and rice.
Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Junior, the son of Imelda, issued a
public apology.
"Organizers are determining the cause of the food poisoning and are
prepared to cooperate with the authorities," he said in a statement.
"I apologize and seek understanding for the incident ... We will help
everyone until they are completely well."
Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in a people power revolt in 1986, forcing
the family to flee in self-imposed exile to the United States, where
he died in 1989. His family returned to the Philippines in 1991.