Palace says Duterte monitored Ulysses via tech

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated that President Rodrigo Duterte was actively monitoring updates on typhoon Ulysses using technology and therefore did not need to be physically present in disaster-stricken areas.

Roque dismissed calls to question the President's whereabouts during the typhoon as mere "gimmicks of the opposition", quoting "Nasaan ang Pangulo" as "kalokohan lang ng oposisyon".

He asserted that the President was always with the nation and concerned for the welfare of Filipinos.

President Duterte later conducted an aerial survey following criticism about his perceived absence during the typhoon's onslaught.

Duterte had also instructed government agencies to do their best to help those who are vulnerable and in need.

Roque added that Duterte did not preside over the meeting with top government officials because he had to attend the ASEAN Summit and perform his role as the "chief architect of the country's foreign policy".