President Duterte will not attend the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Friday based on the program released by Malacañang Tuesday evening.
EDSA People Power Commission chairperson Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will be the guest of honor during the celebration.
The theme for this year’s anniversary rites is “A Day of Reflection: Celebrating People Power.” It will be held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City at 8 a.m. instead of the usual celebration at the People Power Monument on EDSA in Quezon City.
In a press briefing Tuesday morning, Palace officials could not confirm the attendance of the President in the event.
EPPC vice chairperson Joey Concepcion later said that Duterte’s absence does not mean that the event is not important to him. He assured that Duterte will attend next year’s celebration.
Meanwhile, Duterte is not at all worried by the massive street demonstration planned by groups critical of his administration this weekend.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the President respects the right of groups to stage protest actions but he will remain focused on work and will not be distracted by political noise.
“The President is aware of this. At noong sinabi ko sa kaniya, sabi niya, trabaho lang tayo,” Andanar said in a radio interview.
Andanar also voiced confidence that majority of the people continue to trust and support the President despite the imminent street demonstration by anti-government groups.
“Hindi naman tayo nababahala but of course it’s the speculation na magkaroon ng parang mala-Erap style na pagpatanggal sa gobyerno,” he said. “Ang sa akin lang dito is that the government is watching, we know what is happening,” he added. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos and Genalyn D. Kabiling)
