Malacañang revealed that President Duterte actually wanted to attend the wake of the late former President Benigno Aquino III (PNoy) but circumstances hindered his plans to pay his last respects to his predecessor.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Filipinos online asked why President Duterte was a no-show in both the wake and burial of the late Aquino.
In his press briefing on Monday, June 28, Roque said the President was in Manila at the time news about Aquino's death broke out.
He said Duterte even stopped an ongoing meeting at 11 p.m. so he could visit and personally extend his condolences to Aquino's family.
"Tinigil na po niya ang aming discussion at 11 p.m. kasi sinabi na niya na gusto niyang pumunta doon sa lamay ni dating Presidente Noynoy Aquino (He stopped our discussions at 11 p.m. because he said he wanted to go to PNoy's wake)," Roque said.
"He wanted to go but he was informed that the urn of the former President had already been moved to the private residence in Times , so hindi na po nakapunta doon si Presidente (the President wasn't able to go there)," he added.
However, Roque had no idea why Duterte was not able to attend the funeral.
"It could be because it’s pandemic, and we’re trying to limit the numbers. Of course, the presence of the President would encourage crowds," he said.
Despite this, Roque said President Duterte treated President Aquino as a friend, pointing out that he even supported the latter when he ran for the presidency in 2010.
The Palace official added that Duterte personally called Aquino's family to extend his condolences and offer whatever assistance Malacañang could provide.
"There was a personal conversation with members of the family. There were offers for the family to have all the honors that the Republic can give to a former President," Roque said.
"But, of course, the Palace had to bow to the wishes of the family for a more subdued ceremony. Although, as everyone saw, he was accorded full military honors (befitting a) President," he added.
Last week, President Duterte expressed sadness over Aquino's death, saying his passing was a great loss to the country.
He has likewise issued Proclamation No. 1169 declaring a “Period of National Mourning” from June 24 to July 3, 2021, following the death of the country’s 15th president.
"The death of Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, the fifteenth President of the Philippines, is a great loss to the Filipino people, to whose welfare he committed his life fully with fervor and dedication," Duterte's proclamation read.
"It is fitting to devote a period of national mourning to pay tribute to a respected leader who left a lasting legacy to the Filipino people," it furthered.