Palace: Duterte too busy to attend 33rd EDSA People Power anniv celebration

President Rodrigo Duterte might skip the 33rd EDSA People Power anniversary celebration on February 25 since he has lot of work to do, his spokesperson said Wednesday.

The Palace has yet to release the activities in connection with the anniversary but Duterte will "mostly likely" not attend just like in the last two years, according to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

"Marami lang trabaho si Presidente. He’d rather spend his time reading documents concerning the government, reading books to enhance his intellect some more," Panelo told reporters.

Panelo, however, clarified that the occasion is "important" to the President, having issued previous statements in line with the historic event that led to the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Last year, Duterte called on Filipinos to "enrich our democracy" by empowering the citizens and defending their rights.

He had also sought the Filipinos' help in strengthening institutions that safeguard their freedom.

Duterte is a political ally of the Marcoses and a vocal admirer of the late strongman, who was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on November 18, 2016 following support from the President himself and the Supreme Court.

The President is also supporting the senatorial bid of Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, one of the three children of the late dictator. — MDM, GMA News