Duterte to address nation as Typhoon Ulysses batters parts of Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will address the nation Thursday as Typhoon Ulysses hit several parts of Luzon.

The President’s former aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go confirmed this in a message to reporters.

“He will address the nation in a while,” Go said.

Duterte’s speech comes after #NasaanAngPangulo became a trending topic on social media anew.

Earlier, Duterte attended via video teleconferencing the opening ceremony of the 37th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

#NasaanAngPangulo first became a trending topic after Duterte’s absence at a briefing with Cabinet officials on Super Typhoon Rolly.

During the Laging Handa briefing, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the President is expected to call for an emergency meeting on developments of Typhoon Ulysses.

“Yes, ine-expect natin na baka magpatawag din ang Pangulo ng biglaang meeting,” Año said.

(We expect the President to call for an emergency meeting.)

“Pero before pa itong dumating bagyo, nagbigay na siya ng guidance sa akin at sa iba pang Cabinet secretaries na kailangan paghandaan itong bagyo na ito at mai-deploy lahat ng resources natin. Mag-uulat kami sa kanya once na makuha namin lahat ng data mula report sa field,” he added.

(But even before the typhoon arrived, he gave guidance to me and other Cabinet secretaries to prepare and deploy all our resources. We will report to him once we get all data from reports on the field.)

JE