To reiterate, the President’s sidetrip to a mall — which was unplanned — happened on October 2, the same day the Chief Executive announced that he will be retiring from politics. This happened right after he accompanied Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in the latter’s filing of his Certificate of Candidacy.

The President said that he felt like a normal citizen who could go on malling, dine outside, and probably visit old friends and acquaintances.

The President passed by stores selling high-end watches inside the mall. This was purely by chance since the watch stores are situated near the entrance of the mall.

The President, however, did not purchase any watch but he went inside because he personally knew the tindera selling those watches. They are his amiga since he was still a mayor 15 years ago and had a few minutes of conversation.

The President prides himself in wearing inexpensive watches. The President reckons it is probably Senator Richard Gordon who has a collection given that he owes the Philippine government P86-M.