President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is welcomed by Presidential Security Group (PSG) Commander Brigadier General Jose Niembra during the 122nd PSG anniversary at the PSG Compound on June 26, 2019. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Malacañang on Wednesday announced that President Rodrigo Duterte would not have his weekly public address this week due to rising cases of Covid-19 cases in the country.
Duterte was supposed to deliver his talk today, Wednesday, after its postponement on Monday. Duterte’s public addresses are often aired on Mondays.
“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,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.
“The physical safety of the President remains our utmost concern,” he added.
In postponing Duterte’s address, Roque said the health of the president’s staff was also taken into consideration.
Outbreak among PSG personnel
Duterte’s aide Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said the address was postponed “to avoid putting him at risk due to the reported Covid-19 cases in the PSG (Presidential Security Group).”
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. Even Secretary Lorenzana was also found positive of COVID-19 just yesterday.
— Bong Go (@SAPBongGo) April 7, 2021
“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,” Go said.
In a statement, PSG chief Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III said PSG members who had tested positive were “not directly or closely detailed with the President and are all asymptomatic without experiencing any adverse symptom.”
“Hence, rest assured that the president is safe and in good health,” he added. John Ezekiel J. Hirro