Summer heat tweaks Duterte’s schedule

President Duterte has limited his public engagements to late afternoons and evenings to avoid excessive sweating amid the scorching summer heat.

The President announced the change in his schedule after apologizing for being late for the inauguration of a Davao River bridge widening project last Thursday.

Duterte, who arrived shortly before 6 p.m. for the 4 p.m. event, explained that he suffers from hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating which could be exacerbated during the afternoon heat.

“I purposely asked for a late, late afternoon opening, inauguration or whatever. I have hyperhidrosis. It’s excessive sweating,” Duterte said at the start of his speech.

“There are times where I would be drenched with sweat. It would look like I peed in my pants. So if the bridge would be opened at 1 p.m. and you invite me to be here at 2 p.m. you might as well start the event without me because I will never arrive at that time,” the 73-year-old leader said.

Duterte said any one who invites him to a future event should consider his hyperhidrosis and adjust the time of the program.

“Kung gusto ko ninyong imbitahon (If you want to invite me), my day starts at 1 (p.m.), 2 (p.m.),” he said, admitting that he remains asleep until noon since he deals with a lot of paperwork at his office.