President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has not appeared in public for four days, prompting many to ask, “Nasaan ang Pangulo?”
According to Palace Press Office official Claire Castro, Marcos Jr. has been busy with private meetings inside the Palace and has not been seen publicly since Sunday, September 21.
“Busy po ang Pangulo sa mga private meeting sa Palasyo at sa susunod po hanggang Sabado ay marami po siyang gagawin pong paglabas at magkakaroon po siya ng mga events. So, tingnan po natin ang kaniyang mga activities sa mga susunod pang mga araw,” Castro responded when asked by media about the President’s whereabouts since Sunday.
Castro denied that there is any “direct threat” against Marcos Jr. at present, except for past threats allegedly made by Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Wala pong nararamdaman sa kasalukuyan na threat. Of course, maliban lang, sabi nga natin sa mga nakaraang threat ng Bise Presidente sa kaniyang buhay, sa ngayon po ay wala pong direct threat na nakikita at nararamdaman ang Pangulo at ang gobyerno at nagkataon lamang po siguro na wala pong activities,” Castro explained.
She promised that the media would be notified once they are allowed to join Marcos Jr.’s public engagements again.
“Pero tingnan po natin, at bibigyan po namin ng media advisory kapag po maaari na po kayong sumama sa kaniyang mga activities,” she added.
In past administrations, it was customary for the president to make a public appearance or issue a statement during unrest near the Palace—such as when Estrada loyalists stormed Malacañang in 2001 after days of protest at EDSA.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of rebellion throughout Metro Manila on May 1, 2001, through Proclamation No. 38, in response to EDSA III (or the May 1 riots), a protest by supporters of former President Joseph Estrada and the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) following Estrada’s arrest on plunder charges. (ZIA LUNA)
