Duterte stays in Davao, shuns meetings

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte may be at home now in Davao City, but he has his eyes set on continuing work and performing his official functions despite taking some time to rest, according to his close aide Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.

The President was at home all day yesterday and had no appointments for any private meetings or any other arrangements, Go said during the signing of the manifesto of support  for the anti-corruption campaign of the government.

“Truth be told, you may not have noticed, in a month, he (Duterte) does a Mindanao leg for week. He goes to Jolo, to (military camps), visiting wounded soldiers. You don’t know but he was there, working,” Go, who is close to the President, told reporters.

“The President does not want to rest even upon the advise of doctors. He can’t stand staying at home. He wants to work. His house in Davao is his comfort zone. There he can rest and work. But, rest assured, he is ok,” he added.

The President slowed down a bit after a grueling schedule for the past days including his attendance at the 35th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand last week that was succeeded by several engagements and a Cabinet meeting.

Malacañang, however, deflected concerns that the decision for Duterte to slow down could be related to a serious illness. Go said that the public can rest assured that the President is in good health.

Go added that the President’s rest, which was supposed to start on Monday, was stalled by his meeting in Manila with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari to discuss the creation of a peace coordinating committee between the organization and the government.

He said there would be more meetings with MNLF officials in the weeks to come. Asked on how long Duterte’s rest will be, Go said he will stay in Davao until Thursday.

The President is also scheduled to visit on Friday the farmers in North Cotabato and environs that were struck by a series of tremors in the past weeks, to listen to their concerns, Go said. – With Edith Regalado, Christina Mendez