Buti pa si Noy, GMA! #NasaanAngPangulo trends on Twitter as Duterte skips 1st gov’t briefing on ‘Rolly’

The hashtag, #NasaanAngPangulo trended on Twitter Sunday (November 1) as netizens expressed dismay at President Rodrigo Duterte’s absence at the government’s first briefing on Typhoon Rolly.

The briefing, held at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council headquarters inside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, was led by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. Duterte did not participate even by videoconferencing.

Roque said Duterte was in Davao City but was closely monitoring the situation.

“Siya ay nag-utos sa atin na mag-conduct ng ganitong press briefing kung saan sasamahan tayo ng lahat ng kalihim na nangunguna sa mga ahensya na magbigay ng tulong,” he said.

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said Duterte’s presence was important because Typhoon Rolly, the strongest typhoon in the world for this year so far, was a major crisis.

“To ask #NasaanAngPangulo is not to demand the impossible–that he stop #RollyPh. It’s to ask: where’s the highest official of the country being battered by the strongest typhoon of the year? In a time of crisis, presence is a sign of leadership. Absence is abandonment of duty,” he said.

Netizen @micoblanko said the timing of Duterte’s absence couldn’t have been worse.

“We got the strongest typhoon and the weakest government… #NasaanAngPangulo,” he tweeted.

Twitter user @yogawithben compared Duterte with former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo by posting her photos inspecting disaster areas when she was the Chief Executive.

“Even the most evil of presidents understood the importance of being visible during a super typhoon. Si Digong, di lang walang puso. Wala ding utak. #NasaanAngPangulo,” he tweeted.

Netizen @Angel1470667677 noted that former President Benigno Aquino III made a public address before Typhoon Yolanda hit the country in November 2013 to warn about its devastation.

“I remember PNoy warned us of dangerous waves as high as 3-5 meters along coastal lines but now #NasaanAngPangulo?” she asked.

Twitter user @sosyolohija said: “Rodrigo Duterte only addresses the nation when it’s convenient for him to do so. Nevermind a raging super typhoon nor a pandemic. Who needs this kind of leader? Pilipinas, walang Pangulo. #NasaanAngPangulo”

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)