• Andanar: exciting year ahead for PRRD
• PRRD plans dialogue with Mary Jane Veloso’s family

As the Philippines will take its turn in hosting the 2017 ASEAN Summits at Mactan and Clark, Secretary Andanar said the President has been invited by the leaders of Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore for state visits to their respective countries.

“Doon sa mga napansin kong mga meetings ng Pangulo, naka-attend ako sa dalawa – Singapore pati Vietnam – ay si Presidente iyong unang ini-invite,” the PCO chief disclosed on Monday during an interview over radio station DZBB.

“Kaya exciting ang 2017 – sabi nga noong isang Singaporean diplomat, nabasa ko sa kaniyang Facebook page, sabi niya na bumilib siya sa sinabi ni Presidente doon sa loob ng ASEAN-East Asia Summit dahil finally may Presidente sa Pilipinas talagang tumayo para sa Pilipino. Sabi niya, ‘I’m looking forward to ASEAN 2017,” Secretary Andanar said.

He pointed out the productive results gained through the bilateral talks by President Duterte with some heads of states, saying: “Ang mahalaga naman doon ay nagkaroon ng magandang exchange ang ating Pangulo at iyong ibang mga state leaders. Nakilala tayo, at nagkaisa sila sa panawagan na kailangang palakasin pa iyong ASEAN relationship with China, ASEAN relationship with US, with India, with Australia.”

Upon his arrival at the Davao International Airport over the weekend from a working visit to Indonesia, the President did not divulge any details about his discussion on the matter with the Indonesian leader when asked about the status of Veloso’s case.

“There are matters that I cannot tell you now. I’m sorry. I’m not at liberty but maybe I can talk to the family first, before anything else,“ he said.

PRRD said there was a wide range of topics covered in his talk with Widodo especially in terms of security arrangements, including the Filipinos who are in jail facing charges in Indonesia.

When asked if Widodo has agreed not to proceed with Veloso’s execution, President Duterte responded by saying: “Well, I said there are things which I cannot divulge now because it will not be in keeping with good manners and right conduct. Let me talk to the family first. Kasi ma-telegraph mo na, if I say something here, I’ll be telegraphing my message, whether it is really good or bad. You have to consider the feelings of the family.”

In a radio interview over DZBB by Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday, he said the President did not mention even to his government officials what he and Widodo had talked about on Veloso’s case.

“Iyong kay Mary Jane Veloso, doon sa kaso niya, ayaw banggitin sa amin ng Pangulo kung ano ang napag-usapan, kaya silang dalawa lang ni Presidente Widodo. And of course, sabi nga ni Presidente doon sa arrival speech dito sa Davao, na mahalaga na makausap muna ng Presidente ang pamilya ni Mary Jane,” he said.

“Whether good or bad, basta para lang respeto sa pamilya. Kaya he did not elaborate more baka ma-telegraph daw iyong kaniyang punches,” the PCO chief added.

When asked about reports on possible deferment of Veloso’s death sentence, Secretary Andanar said, “May sinabi si Secretary Jun Yasay na indefinite ‘no, suspended. Hindi pa yata iyon. Parang iyong indefinite suspension, iyon ang noon pa iyon, ‘di ba? Hindi muna nilabas eh. So, Secretary Jun Yasay, he reiterated that decision. Mukhang dati na iyong desisyon na iyon eh,” he said.