By Argyll Cyrus Geducos  Malacañang said President Duterte will likely push through with his schedule, including public engagements, despite the confirmation of two new cases of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that there are two patients positive for the COVID-19 currently admitted at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) In an interview in Malacañang, Panelo said while it was uncertain if there will be changes in the President's schedule, Duterte might still push through with his commitments despite the threat of local transmission of the disease. "Knowing the President who doesn't care less about his own safety from whether virus or any other harm, he will proceed with the schedule. Unless there are other events that will change his movements," he said Friday. "Even if you want to this President his workaholic. Knowing him . But, of course, the PSG (Presidential Security Group) would not want that as usual," he added. President Duterte said last month that he was not keen on limiting his public engagements despite the threat of the COVID-19 in the country and even left his mortality to fate anew. READ MORE: 2 Filipinos raise current COVID-19 cases to 5 "When my time comes, it will come. When the time comes you will know because I will go out of Malacañang in a funeral car," he jested in a talk with reporters last month. President Duterte added that he cannot avoid going out in public and shaking the hands of the people he meets because he is the president of the country. READ MORE: Prepare for community-wide COVID-19 transmission, WHO tells PH Use of choppers Meanwhile, Panelo said it was uncertain if the President will be limiting the use of choppers when going to his public events after the helicopter crash involving Philippine National Police chief General Archie Gamboa and seven others. "I really don't know but knowing him, palagi siyang (he's always) on-the-go. Unless PSG, again, will stop him from traveling," he said. "Usually sabi niya (He usually says), 'I'm a prisoner of the PSG. I want to move, they don't want me to move.' Kung si Presidente lang wala yun (But if it's up to the President, he won't mind that incident)," he added. The Palace official explained that Duterte uses choppers to avoid traffic to get to his events and/or if there is a helipad or any place he can land. "Mas mabilis. Yun naman ang pinakamabuting sasakyan mo, eh. Hindi naman pwedeng eroplano. Eh kung short distances (It's faster and it's the most efficient mode of transportation for him. You cannot ride an airplane. What if it's just a short distance)?" Panelo said. READ MORE: PNP Chief, 3 generals survive helicopter crash