Duterte in ‘tip-top condition’ to lead country in next 4 years, says top aide
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is in “tip-top condition” to lead the country in the next four years, his top aide assured the public, amid concerns raised about the Chief Executive’s health.
In a radio interview, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said there was nothing to worry about Duterte’s health following routine medical checkup last weekend.
“Unang-una karapatan ng bawat Pilipino malaman kung ano ang estado ng kalusugan ng ating Pangulo (First, it is the right of every Filipino to know the health condition of the President). He is in tip-top condition to lead our country in the next four years. So wala pong dapat ikabahala (there is nothing to worry about),” Go said during an interview with dzRH radio.
“Nabalita nung nakaraang linggo na pumunta siya ng ospital, routine check-up lang po yun at nakita naman po natin nung SONA ay napakakalmado magsalita ng Pangulo at he is in usual mood po. So huwag po kayo mag-alala, very healthy po ang ating Pangulo (It was reported that he went to the hospital last Sunday. It was just a routine checkup and we have seen in the last SONA [State of the Nation Address], the President was calm and is in a usual mood so do not worry, our President is very healthy),” he added.
Go made the assurance a day after Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. denied talk online that Duterte was rushed to the hospital.
Roque said that Duterte has not been to any medical facility after his routine checkup at Cardinal Santos Medical Center on Sunday night before his SONA.
“There is no truth [to]the rumors that the President was rushed to the hospital. It is tsismis. It is fake news. The President is fine. Although he went to have a regular checkup the night before the SONA he has not been to any medical facility since,” Roque told reporters during a press briefing in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
“It is in fact a crime to spread this kind of news. There is no truth to these rumors and he will in fact be here in Ipil to lead the celebration for Araw ng Ipil. So his appearance will belie all these false reports,” he added.
Roque said Duterte’s checkup at Cardinal Santos Medical Center lasted for an hour and a half and was declared to be in good health.
The President’s health has been the subject of much speculation, but has repeatedly downplayed such concerns.
Duterte, 73, has admitted to suffering from various ailments, including Barrett’s esophagus, which impacts his throat, and Buerger’s disease, caused by heavy smoking in younger days.
In June, Duterte said he threw up during a flight from Seoul, South Korea due to migraine.
Malacañang, however, dismissed the ailments as nothing serious. CATHERINE S. VALENTE
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