President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cancelled his official engagements outside Malacañang on Tuesday to monitor the protest action along EDSA led by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
“Yes, cancelled. The President is monitoring the situation in EDSA,” Acting Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said when asked about Marcos’ schedule for the day.
Gomez said the presentation of credentials of new United States Ambassador Lee Lipton would still push through in Malacañang, followed by the farewell call of Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa.
Marcos was supposed to attend the inauguration of the Marine Clean-Up Vessel for the Enhancement of Marine Litter Management project in Manila Bay and the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines Presidential Luncheon in Makati City.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez represented Marcos at the Manila Bay event and read the President’s speech.
Gomez also informed FOCAP that Marcos would no longer attend the luncheon.
“The President is canceling his appearance at today’s Presidential Luncheon to monitor the situation on EDSA,” Gomez said.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos was closely monitoring developments on EDSA, including the impact of the rally on motorists, commuters, and workers affected by the traffic disruption.
“Nagmomonitor po ang Pangulo sa ngayon sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Patuloy na inaalam ang nangyayari sa mga kababayan natin na naantala sa paglalakbay at pagtatrabaho dahil sa nangyayari sa EDSA,” Castro said.
The President, she added, was also monitoring the welfare of people caught in the gridlock and the police response to ensure public safety.
“Minomonitor din niya ang kapakanan ng ibang kababayan na naiipit sa gitna ng EDSA pati na rin ang pagsasagawa ng mga kapulisan ng kanilang mandato na magbigay proteksyon at seguridad sa mga inosente nating kababayan,” Castro said.
Thousands of protesters gathered at the People Power Monument on Tuesday morning, causing heavy traffic along the northbound lane of EDSA.
A similar gathering was also held at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.
Reports also circulated on social media claiming that employees in Malacañang, including those from the Presidential Communications Office, had been verbally advised to go home early because of the rallies.
Communications officials dismissed the reports as fake news.
Security around Malacañang was tightened, with several gates around the Palace complex closed to motorists. Pedestrian gates, however, remained open.