Duterte defends absence during typhoon, calls critics malicious

President Rodrigo Duterte defended his absence during Super Typhoon Rolly, stating he was in his home province of Davao City and that government documents were sent for his signature.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. called critics questioning Duterte's absence during a briefing on Sunday malicious, stating that the President had done everything necessary to prepare government agencies.

Duterte criticized those who called him "missing in action," questioning their expectations and sarcastically asking if they wanted him to stand on Manila Bay's "white sand" to prove his presence.

The hashtags #NasaanAngPangulo and #NasaanSiDuterte trended on Twitter as the public inquired about his whereabouts.

He mentioned visiting his parents' graves in Davao City prior to the nationwide closure of cemeteries and asserted he was waiting for the "tail end" of the typhoon before traveling.