The newlywed couple expressed their disappointment over the story online.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, August 2, actress Maine Mendoza called out news publication INQUIRER over the story regarding their trip abroad. According to INQUIRER, Mendoza and husband Rep. Arjo Atayde will fly to Europe for an “official trip as vice chairperson of the House special committee on creative industry and performing arts.”
Their destinations were also detailed as Greece, Italy, and Switzerland. In Switzerland, Atayde is said to be attending the 76th Locarno Film Festival for his film ‘Topakk’. INQUIRER also reported that Atayde was assigned by Congress to visit Filipinos in Greece and Italy. As such, he will reportedly be working remotely from August 5 to 27.
After the story was published, Maine took to X to express her reaction to the said story, which she deemed as “false and misleading.” The ‘E.A.T.’ host said that “Arjo’s will go to Locarno as his film is part of the Locarno film fest.” She added, that their trip afterwards will be from their personal expense.” Arjo also reacted, before they both eventually deleted their respective posts.
Later on, INQUIRER issued a follow-up to the said report, saying that they are standing by the story that they have published earlier. To which, Maine responded in another post.
The article is still misleading and lacking context. It insinuates that this trip is at government expense. There are two kinds of “official” travels and I hope you include that in your article and where this trip falls under. I will probably be asked to delete this again but I shall say it again one last time, EVERYTHING is at PERSONAL EXPENSE. 100%. No government funds will be used. Hope you can insert that somewhere in your article. Salamat.
@mainedcm on X (Twitter) • Aug. 2, 2023, 9:13 am
In their article, INQUIRER answered that “nowhere in our articles was it insinuated that government money was involved in their travel.” Furthermore, that their report was “based on the statement released by Atayde’s office to media.”
The House of Representatives later issued a clarification regarding the matter. According to Secretary General Reginald Velasco, the HOR has issued a “travel authority” to Rep. Atayde. They also confirmed that the actor-politician will not be using any sort of public funding for the trip.
Maine Mendoza and Arjo Atayde tied the knot in Baguio City last Friday, July 28.