By ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS
Malacañang said the cancellation of President Duterte’s meeting with North Cotabato farmers on Friday had nothing to do with his health condition, saying the President was probably just busy with his other tasks.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after it was reported that the supposed meeting was cancelled and following the earlier announcement that President Duterte will be working from his home in Davao City.
In his Thursday press briefing, Panelo suggested that Duterte was probably just busy but said the event could always be rescheduled.
“Alam ko kahapon whole day siya nagtrabaho, paperwork. Baka hindi niya natapos. Pwede naman i-reschedule,” he said.
“It has something to do with what he was doing yesterday. He was reading briefs, documents pouring over them,” he added.
The Palace official then explained that it was up to President Duterte anyway what he wanted to do with his time.
In a text message, Communications Undersecretary Rocky Ignacio said that according to Duterte’s long-time aide Senator Bong Go, the President postponed his meeting with North Cotabato Farmers on Friday to visit six dead and 20 wounded soldiers attacked by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Samar.
Panelo earlier said that Duterte would be working from his home in Davao City after rejecting the advice for the 74-year-old President to rest for three days.
“While the demands of pressing work that go along with the highest position of the land are unceasing, the people can rest assured that the President can keep up with the same and is in the best position to know how he can maintain to be on top of his health,” he said this week.
President Duterte’s health condition recently took the limelight after he cut short his trip to Tokyo, Japan last month due to a pelvic pain which turned out to be muscle spasms resulting from his minor motorcycle accident also in October.
Duterte was reported to have seen a doctor but Malacañang said there was no need for the Palace to release a medical bulletin since Duterte was only suffering from a minor illness.
The Palace also assured that Duterte would continue with his local and foreign commitments but said the number of his activities would be considered. This month, Duterte attended the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit it Thailand and is set to participate in the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit from November 25-26.
