Du30 skips Apec dinner

DA NANG, Vietnam—President Rodrigo Duterte, in this city for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, skipped the gala dinner Friday intended for the leaders of member-economies.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and his wife, Laarni instead, were the ones who represented Duterte. 

In a text message to reporters, Cayetano said the President had to skip attending the gala dinner as the President had to attend to some important matters. 

In November last year, Duterte also skipped the gala dinner for Apec leaders meeting in Lima, Peru.

Then Foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay attended the dinner on the President’s behalf. John Paolo Bencito