About face: Duterte won’t go for a three-day rest, says Panelo

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte would no longer take a three-day rest, Malacañang said Monday, just hours after it announced that the Chief Executive would go on a break.

“The President has declined the suggestion of well-meaning friends to have a rest for a few days,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said the President would fly to Davao City on Monday night after attending the wake of John Gokongwei Jr. at the Heritage Park in Taguig.

“[He] will continue working at his residence there,” he said.

During the press briefing on Monday afternoon, Panelo said the President would take a three-day leave from his “punishing schedule” starting Tuesday, Nov. 12.

He even told reporters that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea would be the government’s caretaker while the President was away.

He later told reporters after the briefing that there might not be a need for a caretaker even while the President would be taking a three days off.

The President’s trusted former aide, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, also confirmed to reporters that the President would take a rest starting Tuesday.

“While the demands of pressing work that go along with the highest position of the land are unceasing, the people can rest assured that the President can keep up with the same and is in the best position to know how he can maintain to be on top of his health,” Panelo said.

/atm