President Duterte will push through with his visit to Thailand next week despite being advised by doctors to limit his physical activity.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President is expected to depart for Thailand on Nov. 1 to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit and related meetings.
Duterte is expected to join other ASEAN leaders and dialogue partners for the three-day summit from Nov. 2 to 4 in Nonthaburi.
“Definitely, he will be leaving on the 1st to Bangkok. Tuloy pa rin yun, walang pagbabago,” Panelo said.
Duterte last visited Bangkok in March for the first round of the regional summit.
Panelo, however, said there would be some changes in the “spacing” of the President’s schedule to help relieve his muscle spasms. The slight change in Duterte’s work schedule comes after the President has been advised by his doctor to rest to ease his muscle pain.
“’Yung spacing medyo babaguhin natin kasi nga punishing masyado,” Panelo said.
Malacañang had earlier announced that the President won’t need any surgical operation after complaining unbearable pain in his spinal column.
The President, who cut short his Japan trip due to excruciating back pain, has been diagnosed with muscle spasms after undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging scan last Wednesday. He has been advised by his doctor to rest for a couple of days and limit his physical activity, particularly avoid standing or walking for long duration, according to the Palace.
Panelo added that the President was “presently feeling much better.” (Genalyn Kabiling)