Palace denies rumors Duterte left the country

Malacañang has denied rumors that President Duterte left the country as the new coronavirus cases hit 161,253 on Sunday. “There is no truth that the President left the country this weekend. The Chief Executive is in the Philippines and closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the country,” said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement. It was not clear where the reports of Mr. Duterte’s supposed departure came from. Roque did not disclose the President’s whereabouts.