President Benigno Aquino III AP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III is keeping his visit to his parents’ grave at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City a private affair.
“We deliberately are not placing it on the schedule of the President in order to afford the President and his family some private time. It is also very rare for the President to have a private time especially during this event. We have not placed it (on the official schedule) to afford them privacy while the President and his family say their prayers for their loved ones,” said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte.
Valte refused to say whether the President would make the visit on November 1 or 2 when Filipinos traditionally visit their dead.
In 2011, the President, along with his sisters and relatives, visited the family mausoleum of former President Corazon Aquino and former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. a day before All Saints’ Day to avoid the rush to cemeteries.
Valte said Malacañang has declared November 1 (Thursday) and 2 (Friday) special non-working holidays.