MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s decision to finish the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Papua New Guinea exemplifies his “decisiveness and versatility”, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark following criticisms that the President decided to finish the APEC Summit despite his earlier plan to cut his trip short to attend to domestic concerns.
“As Chief Executive and Head of State, he is required not only decisiveness but also versatility in deciding issues of governance presented to him emerging 24 hours of the day,” Panelo said in a statement.
Panelo pointed out that the President's versatility helped him decide to remain in Papua New Guinea and participate in APEC-related activities for the 2018 APEC Economic Leaders' Week.
“It likewise reflects his decisiveness in attending to an urgent domestic concern while performing his diplomatic duties to pursue a policy of cooperation in consonance with APEC's goal of inclusive growth and development among its members,” Panelo said.
Panelo further explained that every decision or action of the President, whether it concerns domestic matters or international relations, is always intended to serve and protect the people.
“The President has not strayed -- nor will deviate -- from this constitutional directive,” Panelo said.
Meanwhile, Panelo said he found it “amusing” that questions are being raised on the President’s initial decision to return to Manila after attending the first day activities of APEC.
“Had he returned to the country before the APEC ended, he would surely have gotten brickbats for not finishing the event from the usual nitpickers and detractors who could not see anything good of what he does as when he skipped a few events in the last ASEAN Summit to take power naps,” Panelo said.
“When PRRD decided to stay and finished the APEC activities, queries are still being asked why he changed his mind,” he added.
Panelo also stressed that the decisiveness of a President is necessary to address local concerns and the demands of geopolitics to enhance the country’s diplomatic ties and strategic alliances with other countries.
Duterte returned to the country on Sunday evening from the 33rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Singapore and the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Papua New Guinea from November 12 to 18. (PNA)
