President Rodrigo Duterte will not take a break over the holidays, his spokesman said Sunday.
“The President is not resting. He is really workaholic, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a radio interview.
“He is really devoted in his job as president.”
Meanwhile, Duterte on Sunday urged Filipino Catholics to embody the “holy example” of the Virgin Mary to remain committed to “genuine and lasting change” in line with the observance of the Immaculate Conception.
In a statement, he expressed hope that Filipinos would be inspired by the Blessed Mary in fostering peace, understanding, compassion and justice.
“May you be inspired by the Immaculate Conception to continue fostering peace and understanding among every citizen regardless of their faith or creed,” Duterte said.
Last month, the Palace announced that Duterte would take a three-day rest in his hometown in Davao City on the advice of his friends and colleagues.
The 74-year-old Duterte, however, still had public engagements.
During the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit on Nov. 2 to 4, the state leaders from the neighboring countries noticed that Duterte appeared “overworked.”
“There were comments from ASEAN leaders. "Your President looks overworked. Don't let him work too much. That's what they are saying, Panelo said in a press briefing last month.
Meanwhile, Duterte earlier said he wanted to receive a motorcycle as a gift this Christmas.
He also said he would rather die than stop riding a motorcycle.
“If I stop doing it, I'd rather die. Believe me. If you lose the thing that makes you happy, your life means nothing. It is better to die then, he said in an interview with GMA 7's Unang Hirit.
The President was known for monitoring the occurrences in Davao City while riding a motorcycle when he was mayor.
Despite his tight schedule as President, he does not seem to forgot his hobby.
Last October, the President figured in a motorcycle mishap inside Malacañang and sustained “slight bruises” from it.