‘Twas DND chief, and not VP, as Duterte pinch-hitter in Bonifacio Day rites

Vice President Leni Robredo (6th from left) and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (5th from right) lead the ceremony commemorating the 154th birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio on Thursday, November 30, 2017, at the monument erected in his honor in Caloocan City. With them are Local government leaders and representatives from the National Historical Commission. INQUIRER.net / Jhoanna Ballaran

With the absence of President Rodrigo Duterte during the Bonifacio Day celebration in Caloocan City on Thursday, the public may ask who was his representative for the event?

Just when many thought Vice President Leni Robredo represented the President, it wasn’t. Malacañang quickly dispelled notions she was Duterte’s official deputy for the event.

In a text message to the press, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who officially represented Duterte in the annual event.

“May official (representative) ang President,” Roque said when asked why Robredo did not go up the stage to lay wreath at the Bonifacio’s National Shrine.

(The President has an official representative.)

The whole time, Robredo stayed at the side of the stage and it was Lorenzana, as the guest of honor, who made the speech in honor of Bonifacio’s 154th birth anniversary.

Duterte was absent during the ceremony because he was in Mindanao to visit a conflict-ridden area, Roque said. /jpv

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