Elpidio Quirino, the President of the Philippines from 1948 to 1953, was alleged to have owned a golden arinola[a] and was subject to controversy.
| Type | Political scandal |
|---|---|
| Cause | Allegation of President Elpidio Quirino owning an extravagant and expensive arinola[a] and bed |
| First reporter | Armando J. Malay in The Manila Chronicle |
| Outcome | Existence of the golden arinola unproven. Bed is found to cost less than alleged. Elpidio Quirino lost his reelection bid in 1953. |
The controversy was addressed in Senate, with Quirino's political opponents unsuccessfully using the scandal as grounds for the president's impeachment. The scandal is attributed to one of the reasons Quirino lost his reelection bid in 1953.
Background
editPhilippine President Elpidio Quirino was alleged to have owned a golden chamber pot(arinola)[a], a container used for urination often kept under one's bed. The arinola reportedly cost around ₱250[b] and its complementary bed, ₱5,000.[1]
According to military historian, Jose Custodio, it was Armando J. Malay first reported this alleged arinola in The Manila Chronicle.[2] The extravagant cost of the arinola and bed even for 1950s standards caused concerns that government funds were used to acquire the two.[1]
The golden arinola scandal reached the Senate. A hearing led by Justiniano Montano was conducted regarding the matter. They considered using the scandal as grounds for Quirino's possible impeachment. However the allegations were eventually dropped.[1]
Aftermath
editThe purported arinola made of gold was never found and the bed was found to have cost only ₱300.[3] However Quirino's reputation has taken enough toll to cause him to lose his bid to retain his position in the 1953 presidential election to Ramon Magsaysay. He also faced allegations of nepotism and misappropriation of funds besides the golden arinola scandal.[1]
In 2014, the granddaughter of Elpidio said that it was his wife Vicky who personally bought an arinola for the then-president, one that is made of stainless steel and not gold from Baclaran.[2]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Government scandals. History with Lourd (TV broadcast) (in Filipino). News 5. November 2014. Event occurs at 2:30–6:53 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Golden Arinola. History with Lourd (TV broadcast) (in Filipino). News 5. May 2014 – via YouTube.
- ^ Ocampo, Ambeth (15 November 2015). "Elpidio Quirino at 125: Our generation will be kinder". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 31 July 2023.