Palace says Duterte is in good shape

FILE: The Palace assured that President Rodrigo Duterte is in good health after the latter earlier admitted that he threw up during his flight from Seoul to Manila. (RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

The Palace assured that President Rodrigo Duterte is in good health after the latter earlier admitted that he threw up during his flight from Seoul to Manila.

In a press briefing on Thursday, June 7, President Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said, “This has been a recurring problem of the President. Nagkakaroon siya ng matinding (He is having severe) migraine from time to time.”

“He says this is related to an earlier motorcycle accident that he suffered but it comes and goes,” he added.

Of the many trips he has been with the President, Roque said it was the first time Duterte had a migraine attack on an airplane.

“He even asked me to formally apologize to the passengers on the commercial flight na hindi makakaikot si Presidente kasi gusto din niya ‘yon na umiikot siya, kumakamay-kamay sa mga pasahero ng eroplano na hindi niya nagawa dahil nga doon sa migraine (that he will not be able to go around because that is what he wanted – to shake hands with the passengers on the airplane – which he was unable to do because of migraine),” Roque explained.

“Sinabi naman niya na (He already said that) he was sick on the flight because of the migraine,” he continued.

While the Chief Executive experiences an occasional headache, Roque maintained that there is nothing to worry about his health.

Asked if Duterte had gone through annual executive check-ups, the spokesman said, “Well I will inquire if he has had an annual check-up and I will let you know.”

Upon his arrival on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Duterte said he puked because of pain on his way back to the Philippines from his three-day official trip in South Korea.

He said he wanted to go around and greet the passengers who are mostly Filipinos; however, he was not able to because of his migraine.

“I had to ask Señor Roque here to apologize in behalf… Gusto kong umikot para lang ma (I wanted to go around just so) … Most of them are OFWs [overseas Filipino workers],” Duterte stressed.

The Philippine leader earlier revealed that he has a Buerger’s disease, a condition involving the constriction of blood vessels because of nicotine. He also said that he has Barrett’s esophagus, a serious complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Apart from these two illnesses, the President said he also has spinal issues as a result of a motorcycle accident years ago.

“If you guys see me always with a sad mode, I am actually pushing a nerve here to relieve the pain,” Duterte previously said, referring to his habit of cupping his cheek.