Sen. De Lima asks: Where is the President?

Sec. 12, Art. VII of the 1987 Const. states that in case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health.

Malacañang might be taking this provision literally, if it is reserving any announcement on the President's unscheduled "vacation" and cancellation of schedules until such time when the situation is already "serious". Of course, Malacañang is well within the constitutional bounds when it refuses to fully inform the public about the President's "vacation", but it is also its moral obligation to go beyond what the Constitution requires. This is called transparency and accountability, two words that are already lost to this administration and its senior cabinet officials.

Until transparency and accountability become real in this administration, and not mere by-words spouted senselessly, rumors about the President's condition will continue to abound. We do not need this at a time when the AFP is waging a war against terrorists in Marawi.

The public needs to be fully informed. Knowing the truth about the President's state of health is both a matter of public interest and national security.

For the past several days, the men and women of our uniformed service have remained in their post, have continued to discharge their solemn duty to defend the Filipino people, and some have even made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Amidst their continued and constant service, WHERE is the President? Where is our Commander-in-Chief?