Duterte on absence from Asean events: What’s wrong with my nap?
SINGAPORE – What’s wrong with my nap?
President Rodrigo Duterte said he felt great after taking a “power nap” during his absence in some events on the second day of the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here.
On Wednesday, Duterte skipped six meetings with regional leaders and was instead represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
READ: Duterte took power naps during absence in Asean events – Palace
After news reports surfaced about the President’s absence, Malacañang said the President “took power naps to catch on sleep” amid his “constantly punishing work schedule.”
“What’s wrong with my nap? I do not eat breakfast and I’m sure you ladies know that,” he told reporters in an ambush interview here before attending his first Asean event on the third day of the summit.
READ: Duterte skips Asean-Aus breakfast summit
Asked if he already had a good night’s sleep, he said, “Still not good enough but enough to sustain the endurance for the last days.”
READ: Duterte a ‘no show’ at three Asean events
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte was poised to attend all his engagements with Asean and world leaders this Thursday.
But when asked if he would attend the Asean-US Summit, Duterte said he would still have to see.
“I’ll see. Maybe I’ll come back to you to consult,” he said.
“Maybe. Could be. Can be a possibility,” the President added.
The US has earned the ire of Duterte under the administration of former president Barack Obama for criticizing his war on drugs and alleged human rights abuses in the Philippines. /cbb
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