President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday cancelled his official engagements outside Malacañang as he monitored the protest actions reportedly led by the Iglesia ni Cristo along EDSA.
“Yes, cancelled. The President is monitoring the situation in Edsa,” Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said when asked about the President’s schedule for the day.
Gomez said, however, that some engagements inside Malacañang would proceed.
“Tuloy credentials presentation ng new US ambassador (the presentation of credentials by the new US ambassador will push through),” Gomez added, referring to the courtesy call and presentation of credentials of United States Ambassador Lee Lipton. This will be followed by the farewell call of Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa, also in Malacañang.
Marcos was scheduled to attend the inauguration of the Marine Clean-Up Vessel for the Enhancement of Marine Litter Management (EMLM) in Manila Bay Project in Manila, as well as the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon in Makati City on Tuesday.
Thousands of protesters gathered at the People Power Monument along EDSA on Tuesday morning, causing heavy traffic in the northbound lane of the major highway.
A similar gathering was also held simultaneously at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.