Duterte hurt after motorcycle accident

FILE: CDO28 President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chats with the distinguished guests during the Switch-on Celebration of San Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co. 500-Megawatt Supercritical Coal-Fired Power Plant at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City on October 16, 2019. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has complained of hip pain after falling off his motorcycle while riding around the Presidential Security Ground (PSG) Compound in Manila.

The motorcycle accident happened on Wednesday night, former Special Assistant to the President and now Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go announced on Thursday.

“Sumemplang kagabi (si President) habang nagmo-motor palabas ng PSG Compound (The President fell off the motorcycle he was riding on when he was about to leave PSG Compound),” the senator said in a text message to reporters.

“Sumasakit daw balakang (He was complaining of pain in the hips),” he added.

Go said the 74-year-old President was resting at Bahay Pagbabago.

The accident came a day before his attendance to the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Ermita, Manila.

Duterte previously acknowledged that he is perpetually in pain due to a spinal injury he suffered from a previous motorcycle accident.

On Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo assured the public that the Chief Executive is “perfectly healthy,” despite his health issues.