Duterte skips visits to Davao del Sur quake victims

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Malacañan Palace on November 28, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday skipped his scheduled visits to Malalag and Padada, the two earthquake-stricken towns in Davao del Sur province, Malacañang confirmed.

The President needs to take some rest since he is deprived of sleep following his recent punishing schedule, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a text message.

“Kailangan ng tulog ni PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] dahil sa dami ng ginawa niya past few days (The President needs some sleep because he had so many activities in the past few days),” the Palace official said.

Duterte’s meeting with quake victims in Malalag and Padada in Davao del Sur was initially set on Thursday but was moved to Friday because he was also feeling under the weather.

The two towns were among the most damaged by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that shook the Davao region on Dec. 15 last year.

The President’s son, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and former long-time aide, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, attended the two events on his behalf.

Duterte’s last public engagement was on Dec. 30, when he and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, led the commemorative Rizal Day rites at the Rizal Park in Davao City.

The President also visited earthquake victims in M’lang, North Cotabato and attended the 60th founding anniversary of the Cor Jesu College and the turnover of checks to quake victims in Digos City, Davao del Sur on Dec. 30.

Duterte also spent the Christmas and New Year celebrations at his home in Davao City.

In November last year, Duterte admitted that his ailments are taking a toll on his health, but assured the public that he can still perform his duties well as the country’s highest elected official.

Duterte earlier revealed that he is suffering from muscle spasms, chronic back pains, and migraines.

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

He also said he has 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.

In October 2018, Duterte also announced that the alleged “growth” found in his digestive tract tested negative for cancer.