via Elija Philip C. Lutawan, Pressroom PH
Vice President Sara Duterte has announced plans to attend the Peñafrancia Festival in Naga City, Camarines Sur, where she hopes to meet her predecessor, former Vice President Leni Robredo, along with local officials from across the Bicol Region.
Speaking in a chance interview in The Hague, Netherlands, Duterte confirmed that her office is preparing for her participation in the annual Marian celebration once she returns to the country.
“We haven’t finalized our schedule yet. But yes, we would like to meet with the local government officials not only of Naga but of the entire Bicol Region, if the schedule permits,” Duterte said when asked if she plans to meet with Robredo.
However, she clarified that her main objective is to join the Bicolanos in their devotion during the celebration.
"First and foremost, we are here to celebrate with the Bicolanos, to pray with them during their biggest festival, the Peñafrancia Festival," she said.
Duterte also announced that his visit will include sectoral gatherings aimed at addressing local concerns.
“We will have small sectoral gatherings there to discuss issues in Bicol, which I’m sure [has] also fallen victim to corruption in government projects,” she said.
The Peñafrancia Festival, the largest Marian event in Asia, honors the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of September.
His planned appearance in Naga comes amid his previously announced trip to Japan on September 21 to 22, days before the International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to confirm charges against his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, on September 23.
