Duterte in the pink of health – Palace
President Duterte is in excellent health, but will sometimes require rest from his gruelling workload, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo assured the public on Sunday, following his recent hospital visit.
“The President’s demanding work schedule is proof that he is in robust health. We assure everyone that there is nothing to be worried about as he is in excellent health,” Panelo told the Manila Bulletin.
“Like any one of us, he just needs his rest from time to time from his hectic schedule,” he said.
The President recently visited a hospital for a blood test before attending a labor engagement in Pasay City.
Duterte’s hospital visit came a few weeks after missing several activities in a recent regional summit abroad.
In a bid to dispel speculations about the President’s health, Malacañang explained that Duterte merely underwent a routine blood test at the hospital.
Duterte, 73, takes blood chemistry tests every quarter, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go said.
Last October, the President revealed that his medical tests for cancer yielded a negative result, dismissing rumors that he was seriously ill.
Speculations about the President’s health persisted after he openly talked about his ailments in public and skipped scheduled events, including a Cabinet meeting.
He also missed several activities in the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Singapore to take power naps.
Duterte also previously admitted he was in ‘perpetual pain’ due to a spinal injury from a motorcycle accident years ago.
He said he was taking fentanyl, a powerful painkiller, to ease the pain.
The Palace has repeatedly declared that the President has no serious or life-threatening illness amid mounting calls to release his medical records.