FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Duterte. ROBINSON NIÑAL/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will not deliver a public address today, April 7, Malacañang said.
“No talk to the people,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters in a message and did not elaborate.
Roque added that the President’s “Talk to the People” will be rescheduled to next week. Duterte usually holds his address to the nation on Mondays.
In a separate statement, Roque said the President will not deliver his regular public address “in light of the rising number of active COVID-19 cases.”
“The physical safety of the President remains our utmost concern,” Roque said.
“In addition, the preparation for the Talk to the People Address entails [staff complement] and we also take due consideration of their well-being,” he added.
In his previous press briefing, Roque said Duterte’s public address will possibly be held this Wednesday.
The President’s last “Talk to the People” was on March 29 – the same day he welcomed the arrival of one million doses of procured CoronaVac, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese drug maker Sinovac BioTech.