Palace says Marcos not in Japan

MANILA, Philippines — Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil denied yesterday claims that President Marcos is in Japan as Severe Tropical Storm Paeng lashed many parts of the country, leaving at least 45 people dead and dozens injured.

“Wala po siya sa Japan (He is not in Japan),” Garafil told reporters when asked to verify social media reports as the hashtag NasaanAngPangulo trended on Twitter.

Marcos presided over a command conference on Paeng (Nalgae) on Saturday via videoconference, where he directed officials to extend assistance to storm victims, particularly those affected by the massive flooding in Maguindanao.

The President, however, was also absent during a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City Sunday, which was attended by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. and other Cabinet officials.

Malacañang has yet to respond to queries on the President’s whereabouts.

Sources said Marcos is in his home province Ilocos Norte.

Social media posts showed Marcos, his son Vincent and nephew Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc having lunch at Dawang’s Eatery in Laoag yesterday.

“Someone stopped by for a quick lunch,” the eatery said in a Facebook post accompanied by photos.

Lagdameo, along with Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, and Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga conducted an aerial inspection of the areas devastated by Paeng in Calabarzon yesterday.

Lagdameo said they would also fly to BARMM to bring water purifiers and other aid for the storm victims there.

“We’ve been going around here in Calabarzon today. Actually, we are flying to BARMM, in Maguindanao, we have water purifiers and other requirements with us and of course to talk to them about what else is needed. The problem is quite big in BARMM,” he said in Filipino.

Tulfo said the President is in constant communication with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“The President is in constant communication with the DSWD. The President is asking if aid has been distributed to Calabarzon, Maguindanao, Cotabato and I told him earlier through chat that ‘Mr. President, we’ve sent aid there,’” he said.

Tulfo said the government has also provided food packs to Datu Blah Sinsuat and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao.

Early this month, Marcos also drew flak when he made an unannounced travel to Singapore to watch the Formula One Grand Prix as several provinces were still grappling with the aftermath of Super Typhoon Karding.

Malacañang did not issue a confirmation until after a Singaporean official posted pictures of Marcos in the city-state on Facebook.

The President described the F1 trip as “productive.”

“They say that playing golf is the best way to drum up business, but I say it’s Formula 1,” Marcos said.