Duterte admits going to hospital for some tests

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during a dinner he hosted for the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Incorporated (PMAAAI) at the Malacañan Palace on October 4, 2018, reiterates his vow to improve the peace and order situation in the country. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Contradicting the remarks made by his mouthpiece and top aide, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center last Wednesday to undergo some medical tests.

Duterte himself confirmed this in a speech before members of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) on Thursday, October 4, in Malacañang.

“About three weeks ago, I had my endoscopy and colonoscopy. Then, I was about to have a… Cabinet meeting ‘yung yesterday but ‘yung reading ng aking ano (of my) [tests]… Somebody advised my doctor just also to repeat and get some samples there both dito uli (here again),” Duterte said as he gestures towards his stomach area.

Endoscopy is a procedure wherein a doctor will examine one’s digestive tract using an endoscope, a long flexible tube with a camera attached to it.

On the other hand, colonoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor uses a colonoscope to check if there is any abnormality in someone’s large intestine or colon.

“So I stayed there for one hour sa (at the) Cardinal Santos,” the President said.

Duterte also said his Barretts’s esophagus, a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), became ‘worse.

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“I have this Barrett and it has been bothering me since, ever since, dahil nga sa inom rin (because of drinking alcoholic beverages),” he said.

“Napabayaan ko, Sir, kasi ano hindi ako naghinto ng inom. Kaya nga wala na eh ang pagsisisi ganun na lang eh (I was not able to take care of myself, Sir, because I did not stop my drinking habits. That is why regrets come in the end). It always comes late,” he added.

While he is still uncertain about his health condition, Duterte, nevertheless, said he will update the public regarding this matter.

“If it’s cancer, it’s cancer. And if it’s third stage, no more treatment. I will not prolong my agony in this office or anywhere,” the Chief Executive stressed.

Duterte’s admission came after Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. and Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go denied that the President went to the hospital.

Roque said Duterte, whose schedule is jam-packed almost every day, just wanted to have a break from work.

“He has a schedule almost every day. He did not really have a day off, so the President decided to have private time,” Roque explained.

Also quashing rumors that Duterte was ‘admitted’ to a hospital, Go said, “Walang katotohanan na-admit [si] PRRD. Hindi ‘yan totoo 100% po. Itataya ko ang buhay ko diyan (It is not true that the President was admitted. I’m 100 percent sure that it is not true. I am betting my life on it).”

The state of the President’s health has been the talk of the town when his former professor, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison previously floated that Duterte is suffering from a kidney failure and that he fell into a coma.

Duterte, however, dismissed Sison’s allegations.

[READ: Duterte says he is not suffering from kidney problem]