‘Night person’ Duterte visits Heroes’ Cemetery late-night hour of Aug 26

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte lights a candle in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as he visits the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 26, 2019. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — True to the description of him being “a night person,” President Rodrigo Duterte made an unannounced visit to the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Monday night after skipping National Heroes Day rites that morning.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier defended the Chief Executive’s failure to grace the commemoration scheduled at 8 a.m. Monday – and indirectly any other government events set in the morning, by saying Duterte was “a night person.”

Malacañang on Tuesday released photos of the President lighting a candle in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. The President, Malacañang said, offered a prayer to the fallen heroes at the Heroes’ Cemetery.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to military officers during his visit to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 26, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to military officers during his visit to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 26, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

According to the Media Accreditation and Relations Office, Duterte visited the burial ground almost 11 p.m. Monday.

Duterte’s long-time aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said early Monday that the President was “indisposed” and could not attend the National Heroes Day ceremonies in Taguig City.

READ: Indisposed Duterte skipping National Heroes Day rites

But Panelo told INQUIRER.net that the 74-year old President might have stayed up late on Sunday night, thus, could not possibly make it to the morning event.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte lights a candle in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as he visits the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 26, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte lights a candle in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as he visits the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 26, 2019. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

“The only reason perhaps was that he was not able to come because either he is busy with some work or he could not make it that early given the fact he is a night person,” he said.

READ: Panelo defends Duterte’s absence in gov’t rites: ‘He is a night person’

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte offers a prayer to the fallen heroes as he visits the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 26, 2019. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Panelo also dismissed speculations that Duterte was seriously ill, saying “the President is in good health.”

In the past, Duterte’s prolonged absence has sparked speculations about his health. /kga