Palace says Duterte didn't need to appear during typhoon as gov't machinery was effective

Malacañang and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) stated that President Rodrigo Duterte did not make a public appearance during the recent typhoon because the government machinery was functioning effectively.

NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad emphasized that the disaster response system is operational, with local government units and their leaders fully accounted for.

Jalad assured the public that there was no lapse in local governance or breakdown of law and order during the typhoon's onslaught.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that government agencies were on high alert and that Cabinet secretaries conducted a press briefing, underscoring that the government was actively working.

The Palace conveyed that the President has the "luxury" of not needing to be visible because the government, from the local to the national level, is functioning as expected.