President Aquino, sisters beat the rush on Nov. 1

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III will visit the tombs of his late parents today (Monday), ahead of the madding crowd on Tuesday.

On the eve of All Saints’ Day, Mr. Aquino, his sisters and their families will troop to Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque City, to pay their respects to their parents, former President Corazon Aquino and Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

“Allow us to reiterate that the visit of the President and his family to the tombs of (their parents) will be a private event. Let us allow the family the time to say their prayers in private,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Sunday.

In an interview over state radio dzRB, Valte said Mr. Aquino would remain in Manila during the long weekend up to Tuesday’s All Saints’ Day observance.

The Palace informed the media the President had no scheduled activities until Nov. 1.

Valte said the Chief Executive would take time out “to rest a little” and do some paper work that had piled up from last week when he had to attend to the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Truong Tan Sang.

The President would also be monitoring the situation in the country, especially Metro Manila, during the holiday, she said.

“He is waiting for reports from the Department of Transportation and Communications, Metro Manila Development Authority and Philippine National Police on the peace and order situation here in the metro, especially on November 1 and 2 when people would be on their way back,” Valte said.