PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is not ill and was only enjoying some “quiet time” amid his brutal schedule running the country, Malacañang said Thursday.
When asked about Duterte’s whereabouts since his last public appearance on Sunday in Surigao City, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella denied that Duterte, 71, was ill and was only resting.
“The President has all the usual afflictions. But, however, you know, he doesn’t have anything extraordinary. He’s in pink of health considering his age,” Abella said.
“You know, if he’s quiet… I mean again, again, you have to understand that his schedules are really brutal and anybody would need to rest,” he added.
In a statement Monday, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial assured that Duterte is in good health, following his complaints of chest pains last week.
“The President is healthy, but he has problems with migraine, Buerger’s disease, which is a result of smoking. I’m telling reporters that the President has health concerns, they are bothersome, but not critical,” said Ubial.
She noted that she is impressed with the President’s stamina, staying awake and alert during four to six hours of Cabinet meetings, unlike some Cabinet officials who almost get sleepy.
“That’s the picture of our President’s health. He is really very healthy. He has good stamina and level of energy. We are really very supportive of his overall health and ability to lead the country,” she said.
Ubial likewise confirmed that Duterte has recently undergone a medical check-up at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center after experiencing chest pains, contrary to pronouncements of Communications Secretary Martin Andanar that the President was just “joking,”
According to the hospital’s doctors, his electrocardiogram (ECG) test results showed that there seemed to be nothing wrong with him, Ubial said.
It will be the five days since Duterte last appeared in public Sunday. Recently, the President visited earthquake survivors at Surigao City and a wake visit in nearby Butuan City.
Duterte likewise attended the wedding of Senior Inspector Arvin Hosmillo and his aide-de-camp, Senior Inspector Alnieza Kinang-Hosmillo on the same day.
His trusted aide, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said that Duterte celebrated Valentine’s Day with his loved ones in Davao City and met with Russian Security Council Secretary, Nikolay Patrushev at the so-called Panacañang presidential resthouse on Thursday.
The President is expected to attend the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming at Baguio City on Saturday, where he will be adopted as an honorary member of PMA “Dimasupil” Class of 1967.