Duterte apologizes to Sotto over 'ruckus' involving Palace COVID-19 protocols

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday apologized to Senate President Vicente Sotto III over a "ruckus" resulting from the implementation of COVID-19 protocols in Malacañang.

"Senate President Vicente Sotto, nandito po kayo [are you here]? I would like to apologize for the ruckus. Hindi naman kasalanan [it is not their fault]... they are very strict," Duterte said during the signing ceremony for the P5.024-trillion national budget for 2022.

"Well, that is...trabaho nila 'yan [it is their job], so if there are lapses, I apologize to you publicly," the President added.

Sotto was present during the signing ceremony and later joined the photo opportunity with Duterte and other lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives.

Asked for the context of the President's apology, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles responded by issuing a statement on COVID-19 protocols for guests at Malacañang.

"Visitors and guests who wish to meet the President inside the Palace or attend a Palace engagement where the President is present must show a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result," Nograles said.

"In addition, visitors and guests have to undergo antigen testing inside Malacañang as part of their second screening. This forms part of the Palace health and safety protocol," he added, without elaborating on the incident.

Sotto has accepted the President's apology.

"[His apology is] welcome," Sotto told GMA News Online.

"The President was just being a gracious host," he added.

Duterte on Thursday signed into law the P5.024-trillion General Appropriations Act of 2022 that contains COVID-19-related allocations, including at least P50 billion for the Special Risk Allowances of medical frontliners and another P50 billion for booster shots.

Duterte also signed  Republic Act 11641 or the law establishing the Department of Migrant Workers, a priority legislation of the administration. —KBK, GMA News