(Eagle News) — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin Jr. on Thursday, said President Rodrigo Duterte’s absence in some Association of Southeast Asian Nations events does not reflect badly on the Philippines, and did not represent a “missed opportunity” for the country.
“Absolutely it doesn’t. I can tell you. I’ve seen different leaders stand up and leave, including the chairman, and it doesn’t reflect badly. Their ministers of foreign affairs sit down,” he said in a press conference in Singapore.
According to Locsin, in the first place, these are “scenarios where the experts have already arrived at their conclusions.”
“Statements are prepared by the experts. I could read it, he (Duterte) could read it, it will not make any difference,” he said.
Apart from the gala dinner, according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the President skipped the ASEAN-Australia Informal Breakfast Summit, the 20th ASEAN – Republic of Korea Summit, the Working Lunch hosted by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the Second Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit.
The President, however, was represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. in those events.
Duterte also attended ASEAN meetings with China, Japan and Russia, the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ASEAN on Economic Cooperation and the Eurasian Economic Commission, and a bilateral meeting with Singapore.
“The President’s constantly punishing work schedule is proof that he is in top physical shape,” Panelo said, dismissing what he said were “amusing” claims Duterte’s absence in those events had something to do with his health.
