MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to skip the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York City reflects his focus on urgent domestic concerns, assuring the public that there is no direct threat to his life.

“Maliban po sa naging pagbabanta dati ng Bise Presidente sa buhay ng Pangulo, base po sa National Security Council ADG (Assistant Director General) Cornelio Valencia, wala po na direct threat sa buhay ng Pangulo,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a briefing.

She noted, however, that security forces continue to implement strict measures. “Pero hindi po sila magiging kampante sa pagsiguro at bigyan ng seguridad ang buhay ng Pangulo,” she added.

On Monday, Malacañang announced that Marcos has delegated his UNGA engagements to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro so he could concentrate on local issues.

Asked if upcoming anti-corruption demonstrations influenced the decision, Castro said the President is not worried since the protests align with his own campaign against corruption.

“Hindi naman po nangangamba ang Pangulo dahil alam po niya na ang pagpuprotesta ng taumbayan ay tungkol sa paglaban sa korapsiyon. At binanggit din po niya kahapon na siya mismo ang nagsimula upang mapaimbestigahan itong mga maanomalyang flood control projects,” she said.

According to Castro, Marcos even remarked that if he were not President, he might join the protests himself.

On Monday, Marcos completed the composition of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), tasked to probe alleged anomalies in flood control and other infrastructure projects over the past decade and recommend legal action against those found liable.

The President appointed retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. as ICI chairperson, with former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo as members, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser.