PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that he was unable to participate in some of the activities on the second day of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting because of “jet lag.”
“You know why [I did not attend? Because of] jet lag,” the President said in a press conference held in Lima, Peru.
Photos sent to reporters by the Office of the President showed that it was Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay who attended the Apec economic leaders' retreats on behalf of Duterte.
The two retreats would have been the chance of Duterte to discuss with other world leaders some of the issues he intend to raise.
Yasay also represented the President in the traditional Apec summit's family photo of heads of state.
The Apec economic leaders’ photo session has been a tradition among the 21 Pacific Rim leaders.
Duterte also skipped the Apec Gala dinner hosted by Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.
There were speculations that Duterte was a no-show because he was avoiding United States President Barack Obama, who was also present at the Apec summits.
But Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the President had to skip the dinner because he was “not feeling well.” (Sunnex)
