Malacañang took exception to criticisms that President Duterte did not do much during the past week, saying the Chief Executive does not need to flaunt his activities and that Filipinos are always in his mind.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following the calls of critics for Duterte's aide to show "proof of work" and not just "proof of life" following speculations about the President's health condition and his whereabouts.
In his press briefing on Monday, Roque said there was no need for Duterte to show "proof of work."
"Hindi kinakailangang ipangalandakan ni Presidente na siya ay naninilbihan (The President does not need to flaunt that he is working)," he said.
"An overwhelming majority of our people know that 24/7 ang iniisip lang ng Presidente ang sambayanang Pilipino (the President only thinks of Filipinos)," he added.
Roque said that it was not the President's style to make his work known by the public.
"Hindi po ganoon ang istilo ng ating Presidente. Hindi na po niya kinakailangang ipagmayabang sa publiko na siya ay nagtatrabaho (That is not the President's style. He doesn't need to show off to the public that he is working)," he said.
"Ang taumbayan naman ay naniniwala naman po na talagang on top of the situation ang President even if hindi niya ito ipinapangalandakan sa taumbayan (The public also believes that he is on top of the situation even if he is not showing if ott)," he added.
Despite the lack of public appearance, Roque said on Monday that Duterte was able to do his work.
"The President made all the decisions he needs to make, particularly on the quarantine classifications," he said.
"Patuloy din ang kanyang pag-supervise dito sa acquisition ng mga bakuna and pagsisigurado na ang bakuna ay naro-roll-out (The President is also continuously supervising the acquisition of vaccines and making sure that these will be rolled out) at the soonest time possible.
Speculations about the President's health and whereabouts surfaced after the cancelation of Duterte's weekly public address last week. Roque had explained that the "Talk to the People" was canceled because many members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) had tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).