Duterte admits: ‘I’m not in pink of health’
Credit to Author: Catherine S. Valente, TMT| Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2019 05:08:31 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has admitted that he was not in the “pink of health,” but was still fit to fulfill his duties as the country’s leader.
In a television interview on Friday, the 74-year-old Duterte said it was only normal for his age to not be in the best of health.
“Health is deteriorating. Every time you ask it, there’s additional affliction… I said every time people, media and all, every time you ask what is the disease eating my body, I only have one noon, colon cancer, then may nagtanong, nagkaroon na ako ng liver cancer. Then another one, nagtanong ulit, nagkaroon ako ng kidney cancer, ngayon nagtanong ka na, brain cancer,” Duterte told CNN Philippines.
“Seventy four years old. Huwag mo akong tanungin (I’m already 74 year old. Don’t ask me) if I am in the pink of health. I am not. Meron akong mga ano sa katawan (I have so many ailments),” he added.
Duterte assured Filipinos, however, that there was nothing to worry about regarding his health condition.
He also said the Constitution did not require him to release a medical bulletin despite his ailments.
“No. The Constitution does not require me. Look at me. I look pale. Im sure you have noticed that. I might. My eyes are jaundiced. They’re yellow. They are,” Duterte said.
“For purposes of performing, my functions as President, I am alright. As a matter of fact, I am going to ride a motor after this,” he added.
The Philippine Constitution mandates that the public must be informed of the state of the President’s health in case he has any serious illness.
Duterte, 74, had cut short his visit to Japan and returned to Manila after he complained of “unbearable pain in his spinal column” following his motorcycle accident.
The President was diagnosed with muscle spasms after he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging and medical evaluation.
The Palace had said that the President was advised by doctors to “rest for a couple of days and limit his physical activity, particularly avoiding standing or walking for long duration.”
The President’s health has been the subject of much speculation, but the Chief Executive has repeatedly downplayed such concerns.
He was also seen last month wearing a personal wearable air pu rifier to protect himself from those who have coughs and colds.
Duterte, the oldest elected Philippine President, had suffered from a slipped disc following a motorcycle accident. He complained of spinal pain back in 2017.
Earlier this month, the President revealed he has myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease.
Last year, the dis coloration of Duterte’s face was once the sub ject of speculations, which was followed by a cancer scare.
The President has also admitted to having Barrett’s esophagus condition, in which the esophagus changes, and Berguer’s disease, a rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs.
The Palace has repeatedly assured the public that the President remained “transparent” about his health, and would tell the nation if he was suffering from any serious condition.