Pres. Aquino skips 25th ASEAN Summit to oversee relief efforts in aftermath of Typhoon ‘Ruby’

President Benigno S. Aquino III has cancelled his scheduled trip to Busan, South Korea to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Republic of Korea (ASEAN-ROK) Commemorative Summit on December 11 to 12 to concentrate on relief efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon ‘Ruby’.

“The decision to skip the 25th ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit was made because the President wanted to stay in the country to continue to focus on efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon ‘Ruby’,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Valte admitted that the President has been feeling a “little unwell” but said that is not the reason why he is skipping the summit in South Korea.

She noted that the President was scheduled to report for work by 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

President Aquino on Tuesday also cancelled his speaking engagement at the 1st National Competition Conference at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“The President did tell me that yes he is feeling unwell… which is primarily the reason why he could not make his 10 a.m. engagement (at the conference). The Secretary of Justice represented him,” Valte added. (PCOO News Release)