Duterte admits age taking toll on his health

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Day at the Malacañan Palace on July 11, 2019. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted that age is taking a toll on his health following his decision to spend the entire week working in his hometown in Davao City.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News aired on 24 Oras Monday night, Duterte urged media to refrain from asking questions about his health since it was usual for people to develop conditions as they aged.

“Ang Presidente, matanda na. Wag kayong magtanong kung ang Presidente may sakit na. Lahat ng sakit nandito na sa akin kasi matanda na nga ako (The President is old. Don’t ask if the President has ailments. All the ailments, I have them because I’m old),” Duterte said in the interview.

“It would be a stupid question kung sabihin mo, okay ka ba Presidente? (if you ask, are you okay President)? Are you in the best of health? Of course not, I am old. Life has begun to take its toll on my health,” he added.

The 74-year-old Duterte further quipped about having all the possible ailments: “You name it, I have it.”

Despite his admission, the President said he continued to focus on paperwork and go against his doctors and colleagues’ suggestion to take a break.

“I was working. In one day pag di mo inasikaso, papatong ‘yan (If you don’t work for an entire day, the work will pile up),” Duterte said.

Duterte cut short his trip to Japan last month after complaining of “unbearable” back pain.

Throughout his attendance at the enthronement ceremony of Japanese Emperor Naruhito on Oct.

22, the President was seen using a cane for the first time.

Results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the President has muscle spasms resulting from a minor motorcycle incident on October 16.

Aside from back problems, Duterte also suffers from migraines and Buerger’s disease, an inflammation of small- and medium-sized blood vessels.

He previously said there is no need to release a medical bulletin because none of his ailments were “serious.”

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte is doing well as long as he gets a complete eight-hour worth of sleep.

Duterte attended the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Summits in Bangkok from Nov. 2 to 4 and is set to leave anew for the 2019 Asean-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan from Nov. 25 to 26 despite his medical condition.