Despite showing up late and drowsy at the Philippine Military Academy graduation in Baguio City last Sunday, President Duterte remains in good health and will push through with his visit to Japan this week, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo assured the public the President has no life-threatening illness but admitted Duterte was “sleepy” and “struggled to be awake” at the PMA activity due to heavy workload on the eve of the event.
“To the people who wish him to be seriously ill, they will be disappointed,” Panelo said. “To those who are concerned about his well being, they should be assured that apart from what he already told the public of what ails him (which is not life threatening), the President is in good health, robust enough to be travelling to Japan for an official visit upon the invitation of Prime Minister Abe,” he added.
The President is expected to travel to Tokyo today for a four-day visit, mainly to attend to participate in the Nikkei Conference on the Future of Asia on May 31.
While in Japan, Duterte is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday. The two leaders are expected to tackle defense and security, economic cooperation, infrastructure development, entry of Filipino skilled workers to Japan, assistance for the Bangsamoro region, as well as regional issues such as Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea.
On the President’s tardiness and sluggish attendance at the graduation of PMA Mabalasik Class of 2019, Panelo explained that Duterte only had two hours of sleep.
He said the President was busy “working on papers, reading reports from various departments, and signing papers” the day before the PMA graduation. (Genalyn Kabiling)