MANILA — A four-man panel tasked by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to sit down and dialogue with church leaders attended Pope’s Day celebration on Friday, according to Malacañang.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the presidential committee represented Duterte who begged off due to his prior commitments.
“We were designated but I will be late. Coming from Cebu,” Roque, a member of the panel, said in his message to Palace reporters on Friday.
Other members of the committee are Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella, EDSA People’s Power Commission commissioner Pastor "Boy" Saycon and Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco.
Roque said Evasco, who was sick, was not able to attend the event held at the Papal Nuncio’s residence in Malate, Manila.
It was Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia who invited the President to attend the Pope’s Day.
Roque said the invitation “came so late” for Duterte to attend the event.
On Friday, Duterte went to Palo, Leyte to visit "killed in action" and wounded policemen.
Six policemen were killed and 9 others wounded in a "misencounter" between police and Philippine Army in Samar province last Tuesday. (PNA)
