Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 8) — President Rodrigo Duterte will stay in Malacañang even as his 14-day quarantine period is ending this Holy Week, his spokesperson said.
“Ang atin pong Presidente has decided to cancel his trip to Davao yesterday, sana po ay pupunta siya doon para makasama po sana niya ang pamilya niya,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvado Panelo said in an online press briefing.
[Translation: Our President canceled his trip to Davao City yesterday, he was supposed to go there to be with his family.]
He said the President planned to go home also for the birthday of his youngest daughter, Kitty Duterte.
Panelo did not specify why Duterte changed his mind, but stressed that he will continue working in Malacañang during the Holy Week.
“Kaya si Presidente po ay mananatili dito sa Bahay Pagbabago, itutuloy niya po ang kanyang trabaho bilang Pangulo ng bansa habang siya po ay nasa loob ng kanyang official na residence at tuloy tuloy po ang kanyang pagmonitor sa mga kaganapan dito sa ating pakikibaka sa coronavirus,” Panelo said.
[Translation: So the President will stay here at Bahay Pagbabago, he will continue his work as President of the country while inside his official residence and he will continue to monitor our fight against coronavirus.]
“Dito lang po siya sa Maynila upang madaliang mabigyan ng katugunan ang anumang uri ng suliranin na ipapaabot sa kanya,” he added.
[Translation: He’ll be in Manila so he can swiftly respond to the problems.]
On March 27, the Palace announced that Duterte will undergo self-quarantine at the advise of his doctor and the Presidential Security Group after confirmed cases of coronavirus infection among some government officials. The President spent his 75th birthday the next day in Malacañang.
The Philippines now has 3,764 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 177 have died while 84 have recovered. Duterte has placed Luzon under enhanced community quarantine, restricting people’s movement, to contain the spread of the virus.
