Why does Bong Go still attend Duterte talks to the people? President explains

After being absent because he was under quarantine, President Rodrigo Duterte underscored the importance of his pre-recorded public address, specifically stressing the presence of Senator Bong Go in the meetings.

"I'd like to just say a few words of Senator Bong Go, why he chooses to be here every Talk to the People program," he said.

In his Talk to the People, Duterte said their program had been giving "information that they do not hear from other sources."

"There are things which we do not or can immediately communicate to the other departments of the Congress which we think are urgent and necessary so s'ya 'yun. 'Yung makuha nya rito, he will... to the congressmen or senators if need be, regarding legislation that are important to run this government," Duterte explained.

Duterte said his weekly Cabinet meeting has given the people timely updates on the government's response to COVID-19.

"Maligaya ako na nag-resume tayo sa ating programa na Talk to the People because nakita namin na all throughout the months that we have been doing it, the program, a lot of people are expecting information which they do not hear from other source or sources," said Duterte, who last made his public speech on January 24.

Further, the 76-year-old leader said his Cabinet members are expected to spread information about the government's pandemic response.

"The other Cabinet members are present, they may want to talk to the people, there is new information in their department which is hindi natin alam hanggang ngayon. Only if they want to and if they have something to say that is more or less substantial and informative for the people," he also said.

The Palace earlier said Duterte is healthy despite the latter's mandatory quarantine after being exposed to a COVID-19 patient.—LDF, GMA News