No 'missed opportunity' in Duterte's absence in ASEAN meetings —Locsin

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. does not believe President Rodrigo Duterte's absence in several meetings during the ASEAN Summit in Singapore is a "missed opportunity" or something that would put the Philippines in bad light.

"Not at all," Locsin said at a press conference in Singapore on Thursday when asked if Duterte's absence in six meetings on Wednesday — the second day of the 33rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits — was a missed opportunity for the country.

Locsin, who represented Duterte in the meetings he missed, said statements are already prepared prior to such events and that "it will not make any difference" who reads them.

"Statements are prepared by the experts. I could read it, he (Duterte) could read it, it will not make any difference," he said.

Locsin also said Duterte's absence "absolutely doesn't reflect badly" on the Philippines," noting that he had seen "different [ASEAN] leaders stand up and leave, including the chairman." He did not elaborate.

"I can tell you, it doesn't reflect badly [on the Philippines]," Locsin said, adding that only critics are giving Duterte flak for his non-appearance in the events.

Duterte skipped six out of 11 events at the ASEAN Summit on Wednesday, including the gala dinner Singapore hosted for him and his fellow heads of government.

Malacañang said Duterte skipped the gala dinner to rest. —KBK, GMA News