Palace denies PRRD was rushed to Cardinal Santos hospital

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his message during the birthday celebration of former Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Atty. Francis Tolentino held at the Tagaytay International Convention Center in Tagaytay City, Cavite on January 3, 2019. VALERIE ESCALERA/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Malacañang on Sunday denied rumors that President Rodrigo R. Duterte was rushed to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan after allegedly suffering from cardiac arrest.

“He should probably be in his quarters and resting, like what I will do in a few minutes,” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said in a message to reporters.

Duterte was last seen during the mid-term elections, casting his vote at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Davao City on May 13.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo also dismissed the cardiac arrest rumors, explaining that Duterte is in his residence in the Palace, signing papers.

“There is no truth to the rumor circulating that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is confined in Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan,” Panelo said.

“The President is in his residence at the Palace, signing papers. I just talked to him. He is neither confirming nor denying that he went to the hospital,” he added.

Presidential Security Group (PSG) spokesperson, Capt. Zeerah Blanche Lucrecia, also denied the rumors but did not bare the chief executive’s whereabouts.

“No such incident involving the President took place.

No further statement,” Lucrecia said in a separate message.

She said the President’s location could not be revealed due to security protocols.

“However, we can assure you that the President is well and good,” Lucrecia said.

Early this month, Duterte was out of the public eye to finish a backlog of paperwork.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat shared to media a photo of the Chief Executive watching “Django Unchained” on Netflix in his home in Davao City over the weekend to quell rumors that he is sick.

Both Panelo and Communication Secretary Martin Andanar have defended the photo of Duterte watching television, saying it was only released to ease concerns regarding the President’s health.

Duterte has previously admitted suffering from Buerger’s disease from smoking and bouts of migraines.