‘Unwell’ Aquino misses morning commitment

Natashya Gutierrez

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‘Unwell’ Aquino misses morning commitment
President Benigno Aquino III continues to receive updates on Typhoon Ruby even as he is feeling under the weather, says Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines – The President is feeling under the weather.

On Tuesday, December 9, President Benigno Aquino III missed the 1st National Competition Conference where he was expected to speak because he was feeling “unwell” according to Malacañang.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima took his place at the 10 am event.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said she spoke with Aquino Monday evening and early Tuesday morning, and said the President told her “he is feeling a little unwell.” Valte said she had no specific details of his condition beyond that, but said she noticed he had a cold last week.

She gave assurances however, that Aquino continues to receive updates on Typhoon Ruby and that he would work in his office despite his condition.

“The President did also tell me that he intends to go to his office here in Malacañang. I’m not sure if he did come but he said around 1 o’clock he will come because this morning he was also continuing to receive assessments. We’re now getting information quicker from the other areas that were hit. So the President continues to receive these updates,” she said.

Valte said she also is not sure whether the President will be visiting affected areas this week.

On Monday, Valte announced Aquino would no longer be attending the ASEAN-ROK commemorative summit later this week in Korea, and will be sending Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima in his place.

Valte clarified that Aquino’s condition had nothing to do with the trip’s cancellation, reiterating he is missing the trip to continue to focus on efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Ruby.

The storm is expected to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday, the first day of the summit. Rappler.com

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Natashya Gutierrez

Natashya is President of Rappler. Among the pioneers of Rappler, she is an award-winning multimedia journalist and was also former editor-in-chief of Vice News Asia-Pacific. Gutierrez was named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders for 2023.