Don’t hide homeless people, Duterte says

President says Miss Universe coronation a working day, asks for traffic not to be rerouted

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the Miss Universe coronation day on January 30 a working day, despite calls for him to declare a holiday, officials said.

Those who want to watch the event at Pasay City’s SM Mall of Asia Arena, or on TV, must take a leave of absence, advised Malacanang, the presidential palace.

Earlier, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo said a holiday on January 30 would be good “so everybody could watch the event”.

Another petitioner, Congressman Winston Castelo said it will give Filipinos “the opportunity to witness in their own backyard a contest where Filipinas have proven to excel and become certified champions of beauty and brains”.

Because of Duterte’s decision, Secretary Teo advised ticket holders to come as early as possible because of strict screening and inspection of the police at the event’s venue.

“Traffic will not be re-routed,” Teo said.

Staying in a hotel would be ideal for ticket holders, advised Teo, but added that almost all hotels near the venue have been fully booked — more than 85 candidates have an entourage of 20 to 30 each.

Duterte was given a ticket, but has not yet responded if he will attend the coronation day, Teo said.

In late December, Duterte advised organisers that street dwellers should not be hidden during the Miss Universe pageant.

“As far as I know, anecdotally, the president has said, ‘Oh, Leave them there so that the people see exactly where we are. We are not hiding our true situation,” said Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella when asked about Duterte’s “official rules” for the event.

As far as I know, anecdotally, the president has said, ‘Oh, Leave them there so that the people see exactly where we are. We are not hiding our true situation.” Ernesto Abella | Spokesman