Palaro closes today; Vice President Sara may attend | The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines — After missing the opening ceremonies, Vice President and outgoing Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte is expected to attend the closing ceremonies of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) later this afternoon, July 16, 2024.

Duterte’s security and protocol team have already been conducting inspections at the CCSC for the past two days, which acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia said can be an indication that the VP will be present.

He, however, admitted that there is no direct confirmation on her end for her attendance.

Senator Imee Marcos, along with her son, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc are also expected to attend.

Ilocos Norte will be hosting the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, particularly Laoag City, and Manotoc was already in Cebu yesterday to visit the CCSC and other playing venues and billeting areas.

In a press conference, Manotoc praised Cebu City for its hosting of this year’s Palaro and said they will match or even surpass it as they host the sporting event next year.

Even before formally being awarded as next year’s host of the Palaro, Manotoc has already been inviting Cebuanos and the rest of the country to experience Laoag and the rest of Ilocos Norte.

"The challenge now is to match and be better than Cebu," Manotoc said, according the Cebu City's information office.

Further, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other Capitol officials are also expected in this afternoon’s event as the Cebu Provincial Government is sponsoring the closing ceremony.

“Naay special appearance si Gov. Gwen sa closing,” said DepEd-Cebu City’s Assistant Schools Superintendent Adolf Aguilar to reporters yesterday.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia said with Capitol shouldering the budget for the closing ceremony, the Cebu City Government can save at least P8 million.

Suspended Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, who is back after an out-of-town travel, is also anticipated to attend the event if VP Sara will indeed show-up.

Rama only smiled though when he was asked for confirmation of his attendance during a press conference at CCSC.

With the Capitol funding the closing ceremony, participants of the weeklong