Duterte skips Independence Day rites

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte skipped the Independence Day rites at Rizal Park on Monday because he was not feeling well, officials said.

 

Minutes before the start of the flag-raising ceremony, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters that Duterte would not be able to attend the event.

 

“He (Duterte) won’t be able to attend the event this morning… He did not give any reason why,” he said in Filipino.

 

“Meron siyang hinaharap na ilang bagay upang maayos talaga ang ating hinaharap na challenge (He is dealing some matters to address the challenges we are facing).”

 

WATCH: Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella on President Duterte skipping Independence Day rites @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/xzm8GutI4q

— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) June 11, 2017

 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano, who represented Duterte during the event, said the president was not feeling well, noting that the President had engagements in Cagayan de Oro and Pasay last Sunday.

 

“You know the President has been working 24/7, meeting the troops, meeting the commanders, and then late last night, visiting the wounded and the dead. So that's why this morning, he didn't feel that well. Nothing to worry about but it's better for him to rest for now this morning because as you know the target was to liberate Marawi today, June 12,” Cayetano said in a separate interview.

 

“He's resting. Hindi siya nag-pilit na magising kasi napakahirap na dalawa, tatlong oras lang tulog mo (He did not force himself wake up early. It’s hard to do so if you only slept for two to three hours),” he added.

 

Cayetano on Du30 skipping Independence Day rites: Puyat (bec. of wake visits)...Hindi siya nagpilit magising @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/GSbiHBRXoh

— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) June 12, 2017

 

Vice President Leni Robredo led the flag raising and the wreath laying ceremony in lieu of Duterte.

 

Cayetano said he was informed about the president’s decision to skip the event round 5:30 a.m. He said the president is expected to stay in Metro Manila for the rest of the day.  

 

WATCH: DFA Sec. Cayetano on why. Duterte skipped Independence Day rites: "He's not feeling well but nothing to worry about" @PhilippineStar pic.twitter.com/9tXW908jQl

— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) June 12, 2017

 

Duterte visited wounded soldiers in Cagayan de Oro City at 4:30 p.m. Sunday before proceeding to Villamor Airbase to honor the Marines who died in Marawi City. The president left the airbase at around 9 p.m.

 

READ: Duterte: Honor those who fought for Philippine freedom

 

Last week, the president canceled the traditional vin d'honneur to attend to matters related to the Marawi crisis.

 

The vin d'honneur is a reception hosted by the president in Malacañang on New Year’s Day and Independence Day and attended by members of the diplomatic community.