Manila, Philippines – Contrary to insinuations of some quarters, Malacañang said Monday (25 November 2019) President Rodrigo Duterte did not apologize to Vice President Leni Robredo in relation to her removal as co-chair of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

“Kinausap ko siya (President Duterte) tungkol dito at pinabulaanan niya na humihingi siya ng paumanhin,” Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Monday in a media briefing in Busan, South Korea where the President is on a state visit.

Panelo made it clear that the President apologized for believing on the fake news about UN prosecutors but not to Robredo.

“Sa madaling sabi, sinasabi lang niya na humihingi siya ng paumanhin na naniwala siya sa pekeng balita,” Panelo said. (Marian Sinamban/IAMIGO/CNS)