Malacañang said yesterday President Duterte will continue to pursue his local and foreign engagements despite being advised by the doctor to limit his physical activities for a few days following a motorcycle accident which caused his “unbearable” pain.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte saw a doctor upon his return to Manila after witnessing the ceremonial enthronement of new Japanese Emperor Naruhito Tuesday.
Panelo assured the public that all is well with the Chief Executive and that he is feeling better already.
“The Palace wishes to inform the public of his state of health to allay the fears of our countrymen on his present physical condition,” Panelo said. “The Palace assures our countrymen that they need not worry about the President’s health. The Chief Executive has been advised by his doctor to rest for a couple of days and limit his physical activity, particularly avoiding standing or walking for long duration. The President is presently feeling much better,” he added.
According to Panelo, Duterte underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging and medical evaluation the other day. He said the President was diagnosed with muscle spasms, causing the reported unbearable pain at the pelvic and spinal area of the Chief Executive’s body.
The Palace official said that according to the attending doctor, the pain Duterte was feeling could have been caused and aggravated by previous motorcycle incidents, including the one that happened when the President said he was 68-years-old and the fall he had last week.
Despite this, Panelo said Duterte did not need to undergo surgery but was advised to limit his physical activities.
“The President was advised by his doctor to rest, as well as to take medicines that will relieve him of the pain caused by the muscular spasms. His doctor ruled out any surgical procedure for the President,” he said.
However, Panelo said that despite the doctor’s advice, Duterte would continue to perform his duties, including attending to local and foreign engagements. Duterte was set to meet Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua in Malacañang yesterday and was also scheduled to attend the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits by the end of the month.
“Despite the President’s somewhat impaired physical profile, he will continue to perform his presidential duties which include attending to local and foreign engagements in the following days, with the same passion and dedication, in obedience to the constitutional command to serve and protect the Filipino people,” he said. (Argyll Geducos)
