Phl Independence Day party set at Trump hotel

WASHINGTON – The Philippine embassy will celebrate Independence Day on June 12 at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, a pricey establishment favored by foreign delegations from Brazil to Turkey and lobbyists seeking to build ties with the Trump administration.

Since President Donald Trump assumed office 15 months ago, the hotel has become a go-to destination for those wanting to rub elbows with administration insiders.

Many foreign embassies have held their national day celebrations at the hotel.

Invitations to the two-hour celebration were emailed by the Philippine embassy to invitees on Tuesday, with a hard copy of the invitation to follow.

The venue of the previous Philippine Independence Day celebrations here included five-star hotels such as the Four Seasons, Hay-Adams and Mandarin Oriental.

But none has been as controversial as the Trump International because of its political overtones.

Ethics experts expressed concern that foreign governments might favor the hotel with their business to ingratiate themselves with the president.

The New York Times reported that the Trump International has “cemented its status as a gathering spot for prominent conservatives and a place for the president’s supporters to see, be seen and curry favor with people in power, one $24 chocolate cigar at a time.”

It said the hotel earned that status in no small part because it is home to the only Washington restaurant that Trump visits.