Malacanang said that President Rodrigo Duterte wanted to attend the wake of former President Noynoy Aquino III last week.
In a media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte initially planned to visit the wake of Aquino.
He said Duterte even stopped an ongoing meeting at 11 p.m. so he could visit and personally extend his condolences to Aquino’s family.
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“Tinigil na po niya ang aming discussion at 11 p.m. kasi sinabi na niya na gusto niyang pumunta doon sa lamay ni dating Presidente Noynoy Aquino,” Roque said.
“He wanted to go but he was informed that the urn of the former President had already been moved to the private residence in Times Street, so hindi na po nakapunta doon si Presidente,” Roque explained.
The spokesman however does not know why the President was not able to attend the funeral last Saturday.
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“It could be because it’s pandemic, and we’re trying to limit the numbers. Of course, the presence of the President would encourage crowds,” he said.
Roque said that Duterte treated Aquino as a friend and even supported the latter’s presidential bid.
“There was a personal conversation with members of the Aquino family. There were offers for the family to have all the honors that the Republic can give to a former President, but, of course, the Palace had to bow to the wishes of the family for a more subdued ceremony. Although, as everyone saw, he was accorded full military honors for a President,” the official said. (TDT)
