Where was Aquino during Glenda’s onslaught?

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Thursday clarified that President Benigno Aquino III was working closely with his Cabinet members, monitoring the situation on the ground as typhoon “Glenda” pummeled the country, despite being away from the public eye.

“Nasa Bahay Pangarap (the official residence of Aquino) siya attending to monitoring of the situation at saka ‘yung pag-aaral din niya ng mga state papers,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a televised press briefing.

(He was in Bahay Pangarap, attending to and monitoring the situation, as well as studying state papers.)

“At nasiyahan naman siya doon sa mga ulat kaya sa palagay niya ay hindi naman kailangan na mismo ‘yung kanyang physical presence,” he added.

(He was satisfied with the reports that why he decided that his physical presence was no longer needed.)

Zero visibility along Roxas Boulevard as strong winds brought by Typhoon Glenda hits Metro Manila. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JOAN BONDOC

Coloma explained that Aquino was in constant consultation with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who also heads the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“Lahat naman halos ng mga departments concerned, ‘yung kanilang mga kalihim ay nasa—on the ground and actively attending to the clearing operations after the typhoon struck,” Coloma said.

(All the departments, their secretaries were on the ground and actively attending to the clearing operations after the typhoon struck.)

When asked by a reporter if Aquino’s management style involved him not being physically present, Coloma merely said, “Nasa Bahay Pangarap siya physically (He was in Bahay Pangarap). Bahay Pangarap is in the National Capital Region. The National Capital Region is one of the areas that was actually struck by the typhoon.”

“Siguro naman makikita doon sa naging paliwanag na ginawa naman niya ‘yung sapat at hindi naman siya nagpabaya,” he added.

(Perhaps you would understand from the explanation that he did what was necessary and he was not neglecting anything.)

At one point, Coloma said it might be an “exaggeration” or unreasonable to expect Aquino to be in a particular place.

“He has to be at the NDRRMC? E sa ngayon naman, ano, pwede rin naman niyang pangunahan itong mga aktibidad na ito mula mismo sa kanyang tanggapan. ‘Yung kanyang tahanan ay extension na rin ng kanyang tanggapan,” the Secretary said.

(He has to be at the NDRRMC? But he could lead activities even from his office. And his official residence is an extension of his office.)

Glenda, which packed maximum winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 185 kph, left at least 38 people dead and many areas without electricity.

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