The safety of President Duterte remains the government’s primary concern, Malacañang said Wednesday following a decision to postpone his public address over a surge of coronavirus cases.
(KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO)
The President was supposed to deliver an address to the people Wednesday, April 7, but the event has been moved to next week.
"The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will not have a Talk to the People Address tonight, April 7, 2021, in light of the rising number of active COVID-19 cases," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement Wednesday.
"The physical safety of the President remains our utmost concern," he added.
In postponing the televised address, Roque noted that the health of the President's staff was also taken into consideration.
"In addition, the preparation for the Talk to the People Address entails a number of staff complement and we also take due consideration of their well-being," he said.
The President's former assistant and now Senator Christopher Go earlier revealed that the President's public address was postponed after several members of the security team contracted the coronavirus disease. The senator said the President had no close contact with these personnel, assuring Duterte remains in good health condition.
"The President’s Talk to the People address is postponed to avoid putting him at risk due to the reported COVID-19 cases in the PSG (Presidential Security Group). Even (Defense) Secretary (Delfin) Lorenzana was also found positive of COVID-19 just yesterday," the senator said.
"However, there is nothing to worry about when it comes to PRRD’s health. Nasa mabuting kalagayan naman po ang Pangulo. In fact, magkasama kami kanina at patuloy ang kanyang trabaho (The President is in good condition). In fact, we were together earlier and he continued to work)," he added.
The President's last televised address was on March 29 at the Malago clubhouse inside Malacañang Park. In the meeting, he issued a number of directives, including the country's quarantine classification for April.