Duterte does morning exercises despite ailments

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during his visit to Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City, Samar on June 19, 2019. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Despite having several health conditions, President Rodrigo Duterte said he regularly exercises in the morning.

In an interview over GMA’s Unang Hirit, the 74-year-old President said the first activity he would do when he gets up from bed are morning stretches.

“I do exercise actually. ‘Yung ito…paabutin mo sa...because bigla akong bumabagsak…Naka-upong ganun (This, reaching the…because I suddenly collapse…I sit this way),” Duterte said.

Last week, Duterte reassured the public that he could still perform his duties as the country’s highest elected official despite his admission that age is taking a toll on his health.

He also maintained that there is no need for him to release a medical bulletin on his health because none of them were “serious”.

Under Section 12, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution, the President is mandated to disclose the real status of his health “in case of serious illness.”

“For purposes of performing my functions as president, I am all right,” Duterte said in an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines.

Duterte previously said he is suffering from muscle spasms, chronic back pains, and migraines.

He also said he has myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that weakens skeletal muscles responsible for breathing and moving parts of the body.

Other ailments he suffers from are Barrett’s esophagus, a potentially serious complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Buerger’s disease, a rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs.

Duterte said journalists and columnists should stop asking questions about his health because it was usual for the elderly to develop ailments as they age.

“Wag kayong magtanong kung may maintenance kami. Lahat ng 74 may maintenance ‘yan. ‘Wag kayong magtanong (Don’t ask if we have maintenance. All 74-year-olds have maintenance. Don’t ask). You cannot be healthy forever, but you can work,” Duterte said.

Duterte said he would still continue riding motorbikes until his last breath.

“Titigil ako mag motorsiklo ‘pag patay na ako (I’ll only stop riding motorbikes when I’m dead),” Duterte said.

He also joked about wanting to receive a new motorbike for Christmas but went on to say his only wish was for the Philippines and the Filipinos.

“Wala na akong hinihingi para sa akin (I no longer ask for anything for myself),” he said.