MARAWI CITY—The bulletproof glass panel was wiped clean and the presidential seal was set in place at the podium, as thousands of administration supporters packed the gymnasium for the scheduled arrival of President Duterte at 2 p.m.
By past 4 p.m., however, after senatorial candidates of the administration have delivered their speeches, there was still no President.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte decided to skip the campaign rally because of bad weather.
“Not good weather for the flight to Marawi, so he canceled it so opted to rest,” he said in a text message. —WITH A REPORT FROM JULIE M. AURELIO