Duterte’s public address postponed for second time this week

President Rodrigo Duterte’s regular public address has been postponed for the second time this week, Malacañang said Tuesday. 

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this is because Duterte and his delegation just got back to Manila from a Regional Peace Council meeting in Dumaguete City held Monday afternoon. 

“Talk to the People will be moved tomorrow. Nakauwi na kami galing Dumaguete, ala una na. Medyo puyat po lahat, including ang mga tao sa OP [Office of the President],” Roque said in a Palace briefing, referring to the Office of the President. 

(We got back from Dumaguete at 1 a.m. All of us did not have enough sleep, including those from the Office of the President.)

“Kaya sa Wednesday ang Talk to the People,” Roque added. 

(That is why Talk to the People will be on Wednesday.)

Duterte was supposed to have a public address on Monday night, but Roque said this was postponed due to the Dumaguete engagement. 

During the Talk to the People last May 17, Duterte had former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is 97 years old, as his guest to talk on the West Philippine Sea issue.

Enrile's presence and subsequent speaking time lengthened the President's taped address which had to be aired in two parts: part one during Monday night (May 17) and part two during Tuesday noon (May 18).

Amid continued Chinese incursions within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea, Enrile supported the Duterte's position that China should not be antagonized. —KG, GMA News