PNoy defends 'absence': I was on the phone coordinating

MANILA - President Benigno Aquino III defended Wednesday his "absence" during the height of the floods brought by the southwest monsoon and tropical storm Maring, saying he was busy coordinating yesterday only by phone.

Aquino was at the Mandaluyong Elementary School on Wednesday, checking on the situation of evacuees. He just came from visiting evacuation centers in Binan and San Pedro in Laguna.

"Kung pumalpak kasi, ako ang sisihin. Nakikipag-coordinate naman tayo sa mga Cabinet secretaries tulad ng DSWD, MMDA, DPWH, DOJ at DILG. Pati mga LGU tinatawagan natin,” he insisted.

Aquino said he followed up with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima the status of cases filed versus establishments blocking waterways.

"For instance, last night, pina-follow up ko kay Secretary Leila (de Lima) (iyong) status nung mga cases, iyong mga nag-i-impede ng ating waterway. Specifically, iyong mga may-kaya na medyo malalaking mga establisyimento…Hindi ko na muna babanggitin iyong mismong kumpanya o dalawang kumpanya dahil magfi-file ng civil suit tapos criminal suit. The end point [of this is] being able to demolish these illegal structures at makadaloy 'yung tubig,” he said.