President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday skipped two scheduled public engagements to monitor a rally along EDSA near the People Power Monument in Quezon City, according to Malacañang.
Marcos was originally set to attend the inauguration of the state-of-the-art marine cleanup vessel MV Nilad at South Harbor in the Port Area. However, his prepared remarks were instead delivered by Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
The President also did not attend the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines Presidential Luncheon at the Makati Shangri-La, which was scheduled for Tuesday noon.
Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez confirmed the cancellation, saying Marcos is closely monitoring developments related to the EDSA rally.
Reports said the protest by unidentified groups near the People Power Monument resulted in heavy traffic and disrupted movement along major routes in the capital.
Despite the changes in schedule, Malacañang said the President’s other engagements at the Palace would continue as planned.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos is being regularly briefed on the situation along EDSA, where the ongoing rally has affected travel and work.
“Nagmo-monitor po ang Pangulo sa ngayon sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Patuloy na inaalam ang nangyayari sa mga kababayan natin na naantala sa paglalakbay at pagtatrabaho dahil sa nangyayari sa EDSA,” Castro said.
She added that the President is also monitoring the welfare of affected commuters and the response of authorities on the ground.
“Mino-monitor din niya ang kapakanan ng ibang kababayan na naiipit sa gitna ng EDSA pati na rin ang pagsasagawa ng mga kapulisan ng kanilang mandato na magbigay proteksyon at seguridad sa mga inosente nating kababayan,” she said.
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