'Stop This Nonsense,' Duterte Says on Rumored Singapore Trip

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday addressed rumors that he left the country: "Stop this nonsense about me going to Singapore." He said he would never keep his foreign travels secret and that leaving the country is his right, just like any citizen.

Duterte said it was unfair to say that he would leave the country while it is mired in the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the President's midnight address to the nation, his long-time aide, Sen. Bong Go, released a photo of the chief executive with his family in Davao City, sharing a meal.

"I don't have to keep it a secret," Duterte said. "I am under no obligation to travel in secret and not telling the republic. I am a citizen of this country. The right to travel is guaranteed."

Also on Monday, the President donwgraded the quarantine in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna by one notch, to GCQ, the second lowest. This will allow the resumption of public transport, restaurant dine-in and religious services at limited capacity.