WAYS DUTERTE, JOMA CLASHED ON STATE OF PRESIDENT’S HEALTH

THENpresident Ferdinand Marcos Sr. tried to squelch rumors he was afflicted with lupus by showing photos of himself half-naked, showing muscle and brawn. Chairman Mao Tse-tung of China released a photo of himself swimming in the Yangtze river, showing only his face and head.

Did their people believe Marcos and Mao? No one was sure about that but President Duterte apparently shot down the rumor circulated Sunday (Aug. 19) by Jose Ma. Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines, that he was in comatose state. Duterte, through his aide Bong Go, showed a video clip of himself dining. Compare Duterte’s riposte to Sison’s post:

[1] FACEBOOK TO FACEBOOK. To Sison’s Facebook post about Duterte being in coma, Bong Go live-streamed a video of the president eating dinner in an unnamed hotel in Davao City.

[2] CHARGE, COUNTER-CHARGE. To Sison’s claim that Duterte was in a coma, Duterte said the CPP leader was hospital-hopping in his country of exile, without paying his bills.

[3] EVIDENCE, NON-EVIDENCE. Sison alleged Duterte’s critical health without citing source or proof. The president was in live video, eating or going through the motions of eating. Daughter Sara, Davao City mayor, offered support by saying he even ate “sinigang” and ribs.

[4] QUALITY OF PROPS. Sison’s accusation of Duterte’s ill health was posted with a photo, which didn’t prove Joma’s contention. The president’s video had a “beautiful woman” from Davao. To Duterte, a beautiful woman beside an allegedly ailing man is evidence of his good health. Logic that’s hard to beat. Even if he were in a coma, Digong said, he would rise for the woman, which must prove he is freaking healthy.

[5] WISHES FOR EACH OTHER. Sison wished Duterte good health so he could face trial before the International Criminal Court. Duterte wished Sison 1,000 years more so he could walk the earth “maski wala na siyang silbi.”

[6] PROPAGANDA GIG. Sison didn’t prove Duterte was in a coma but the CPP leader underscored the need for the country’s chief executive to be fully functioning and that he still faces the risk of prosecution for the killings in the drug campaign. Digong quashed the “coma” charge but he also didn’t prove he is in good health. A beautiful woman at the dinner table or eating “sinigang” or ribs is no evidence that one is free of illness.