President Rodrigo Duterte appeared “overworked” during the recently concluded 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations according to state leaders of the 10-member bloc, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Chief Executive really “needs to rest” following his tight schedule.
Senator Christopher Go, Duterte’s longtime aide, earlier said the President wanted to go home to Davao City where he would stay for a week to rest his “aching back.”
“It’s up to the President [if he will take a leave]. But if you will ask me, he really needs to rest,” Panelo said.
“There were comments from Asean leaders. ‘Your President looks overworked. Don’t let him work too much.’ That’s what they are saying,” he added.
Duterte returned to Manila early Tuesday after participating in the regional summit on Nov. 2 to 4.
Panelo said the President would likely lessen his workload instead of taking a leave of absence.
“Most likely he will lessen his volume of work so he won’t be too much pressured,” he said.
Before the ASEAN Summit, Duterte figured in a motorcycle accident which caused him muscle spasms.
The Palace said the incident was just a minor mishap, and that the President only sustained “slight bruises” from it.
The incident has triggered speculations about the health of the 74-year-old leader, but the Palace dismissed concerns and reiterated that the President is well.
Malacañang previously said the President went home earlier than expected from Japan shortly after the enthronement rites of Emperor Naruhito because he complained of an “unbearable pain” in his lower back.
