By Genalyn D. Kabiling
President Duterte has limited his public engagements to late afternoons and evenings to avoid excessive sweating amid the 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. He admitted that his condition was “an abnormal thing” connected with a medical procedure he underwent years ago.
“Kung gusto ko ninyong imbitahan, 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.
Before ending his speech, Duterte apologized to the crowd for being late for the Davao event due to his health condition.
“I’d like to thank your presence. I am sorry I’m late. Pero sinabi ko, next time do not be surprised if you invite me,” he said.