President Rodrigo Duterte wants to visit the wake of Salvacion Gerona, the mother of Vice President Leni Robredo, but his busy schedule prohibits him from personally extending his condolences, the Palace said Wednesday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said he will be going to Naga City, Camarines Sur to condole with Robredo and to represent President Duterte.
“We reiterate our condolences to the family of VP Leni, on the demise of the mother. I’m going there to express our condolences. Today. I’m leaving shortly,” Panelo told Palace reporters.
“He wants to go pero but he has a lot of work to do. For now, I’ll be the one going there. I’ll be representing him. He wanted to go, that’s what he told me,” he added.
Gerona, a teacher, passed away last Saturday at the age of 83 after Robredo confirmed that her mother’s deteriorating health “turned for the worst.”
In a statement over the weekend, Malacañang extended its condolences to the Vice President.
“In this time of bereft, we also offer our thoughts and sympathy to the family, relatives, and friends of Ms. Gerona,” Panelo said Sunday.
In a statement, Panelo said Gerona was a “selfless and dedicated teacher” who served the Universidad de Santa Isabel in Naga City, Camarines Sur, one of the oldest schools in the country.
