President Rodrigo Duterte returned to Davao City on Monday to celebrate Christmas with his family.
That is why the IATF meeting was held in Davao City last night, and his participation in the 85th Anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was just via video conferencing.
“Tradisyon naman sa Pilipino ‘yan o sa lahat na you have to be with your family — birthdays, mga events sa buhay ng tao na may significance sa family,” Duterte said.
(It is a Filipino tradition or all that you have to be with your family — birthdays, events in human life that have significance in the family.)
Duterte annually celebrates the holidays in Davao.
The President again appealed to the people to be careful this Christmas.
“Itong COVID, maghintay lang kayo. I said that there’s — ilang Pasko kayo naga-celebrate. Ngayon, isang Pasko lang hinihingi ng — hiningi ko in behalf of the nation because walang magandang lalaki dito ‘pag may COVID ka, may sakit ka.”
(This COVID, just wait. I said that there’s — some Christmas you celebrate. Now, just one Christmas asking — I asked on behalf of the nation because there is no good looking man here when you have COVID, you are sick.)
Duterte returns to Davao to celebrate Christmas
In November, #NasaanAngPangulo trended on social media after netizens and groups criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s “no-show” in the midst of the ravages of typhoon Rolly, the so-called strongest typhoon in the world by 2020.
Malacañang said that Duterte was in Davao City during the typhoon Rolly. “Only those who really dislike the President is saying that. The real message of the President is, ‘I am one with the victims of this typhoon,’” Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Roque also explained Duterte’s absence at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting on Friday, saying the President’s presence was not needed as the
Cabinet members were already there.
“He does not need to preside over the meeting because, as you can see, all agencies, all departments are functioning and fulfilling their duties even if the President is not physically in the room,” Roque said.
