Duterte bares ‘cancer-free’ results to Cabinet, says official
Philippine Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he gives a speech during the 116th anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at its headquarters in Manila on August 9, 2017. AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte revealed to members of his Cabinet that he tested negative for cancer, according to an official who was present during the meeting in Malacanang.
Local Governments’ Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año said the news was greeted with applause.
“Last night, we had a Cabinet meeting … He was fine, he was good … He disclosed that his test is negative [from cancer],” Año said.
Based on Año’s observation, the President looks healthy and strong as before.
“I’m always with the President twice or thrice a week and he looks OK. I already saw him before he became the President and he stays the same,” he said.
Año also said the President joked that his health was like a battery — “sometimes positive, sometimes negative.”
Rumors about the President being ill surfaced after he admitted that he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center last week and stayed for an hour for tests.
Duterte’s statement contradicted the previous claims of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go that the President did not visit a hospital and said he was perfectly healthy.
In the recent Social Weathers Stations (SWS) survey, 61 percent of Filipinos said Duterte’s health was a public matter and 45 percent of Filipinos thought he was experiencing health woes.
Año said Duterte should be transparent about his health to the public.
“He’s the President. He’s the highest official of the land. It is important for the whole nation that they know his health,” he said. ROY NARRA
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