Duterte has no ‘serious illness’, medical bulletin unnecessary

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of the officers of the Malacañang Press Corps, Presidential Photojournalists Association, and Malacañang Cameramen Association at the Malacañan Palace on September 10, 2019. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — There is no need for President Rodrigo Duterte to release a medical bulletin since has “no serious illness,” Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters that it is no longer necessary for Duterte, 74, to give reports on his health because he has been “very transparent” about his condition.

“Hindi na. Hindi na kailangan ‘yun (No, there is no need for that). Alam mo ang (You know, the) medical bulletin comes into play only when the President is in serious illness. That is a constitutional requirement,” Panelo said when asked if there is a need to release a medical bulletin on the President’s health.

“Wala ngang serious illness (He has no serious illness),” he added.

Calls for transparency on Duterte’s health came after he experienced “excruciating and searing” pain in the lower spine and pelvis that had been triggered by his recent minor motorcycle accident.

Section 12 of Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the President to inform the public of his health, “in case of serious illness.

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Duterte, the oldest person to be elected president in the country, consulted his neurologist on Wednesday, a day after feeling unbearable back pain when he attended Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony in Japan.

Based on the results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and on the medical evaluation by his doctor, the President has muscle spasms.

Duterte’s doctor then advised him to take some rest and limit his physical activities.

Latest motorbike ride an ‘exercise’

Despite his current condition and his recent fall from his big bike on Oct. 16, the President still found time to go for a late-night ride at the compound of the Presidential Security Group in Manila on Thursday.

The President went for a ride on a “three-wheeled” motorbike, Panelo said.

The Palace official added that the President’s latest motorcycle ride could be considered as part of his “exercise.”

“After the dinner last night when he went to Bahay Pagbabago, he decided to ride on that motorcycle for a few minutes. Parang exercise. ‘Yun lang (It’s like an exercise. That’s it),” he said.

Quizzed if the doctor had advised the President to avoid riding a motorbike, Panelo said: “Hindi naman (No). If you will notice, that is a three-wheeled motorcycle. So walang ka-proble-problema. Hindi sesemplang yun. Sinubukan niya lang (So there’s no problem with that. He did not figure in an accident. He just tried it).”

Duterte resting in Davao

Panelo also guaranteed that the President is following his doctor’s advice, noting the Chief Executive is now at his home in Davao City to take some rest.

He also reassured that the President is doing well now after taking some pain relievers.

“He’s in Davao now and he’ll stay there and rest,” Panelo said.

The President will return to Manila on Oct. 28 to attend “some events” and will go back to Davao to visit the grave of his parents at Davao Public and Roman Catholic Cemetery in commemoration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Palace spokesperson said.

“‘Yung activity niya, tuloy pa rin pero minimize mo ‘yung physical activity mo. At saka siguro ’yung mga activities niya, i-space kasi masyadong punishing ang kaniyang schedule (His activity continues but his physical activity needs to be minimized. There should also be spacing in his activities because he has punishing schedule),” Panelo said.