Malacañang on Thursday described as “fake news” the rumor that President Rodrigo Duterte was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte was expected to attend the 69th Araw ng Ipil celebration in Zamboanga Sibugay on Thursday afternoon.
“There is no truth to it. It is fake news,” he told reporters.
“The President is fine, although he went to have a regular checkup the night before the Sona [State of the Nation Address], and he has not been to any medical facility since.
“He will, in fact, be in Ipil to lead the celebration for Araw ng Ipil, So his appearance will belie all these false reports.”
Duterte is also scheduled to visit fire victims and wounded soldiers in Zamboanga City later in the day.
The President’s health has been the subject of much speculation, but he has repeatedly downplayed the reports there is something wrong with it.
He once said he had Buerger’s disease, a condition that causes the constriction of the blood vessels due to nicotine, and Barrett’s esophagus, a disease involving the tissue in the esophagus.
He also said he had a misaligned spine as a result of a motorcycle accident years ago.
Last month, Duterte vomited during a flight from Seoul to Manila, and allegedly due to a migraine.
