Malacañang yesterday assured that President Duterte is fit to fulfill his duties as the country’s leader despite complaining of illnesses, saying it was only normal for a man of his age to not be in the best of their health.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after Duterte told GMA News that life has begun to take its toll on his health.
“Lahat ng sakit, nandito na sa ‘kin kasi matanda na ako… Kung sabihin mo, ‘Okay ka ba, Presidente? Are you in the best of health?’ Of course not,” Duterte said.
“I am old, life has begun to take its toll on my health. At kung sabihin mong may sakit ako, meron. You name it, I have it. Para wala na lang debate,” he added.
Panelo said Duterte experiencing all sorts of illnesses is just normal for a man his age.
“Kung sinabi ko noon na he was in the pink of health, ngayon, I think he is now in the green of health. Hindi na pink, green lang,” he said. “Which is kung ano ‘yung sakit ng mga matatanda sa edad niya, ordinarily he has that,” he added.
Panelo, however, said that Duterte will continue with his duties, including his upcoming trip to Busan, South Korea, from Nov. 24 to 26 to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit.
“But if you will notice, kahit na ganyan siya may nararamdaman, ‘yung kanyang schedule ganoon pa rin hindi naman nagbabago. Not only does he survive, he does it well,” he said. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)