Sleep-deprived Duterte now feeling well: Palace

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Maasim, Sarangani Province on November 22, 2019. JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who has been deprived of sleep due to his heavy workload, is now feeling well, Malacañang said on Saturday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo gave the assurance a day after Duterte missed an event in Davao del Sur.

“PRRD was under the weather for two days due to workload, attending events, and lack of sleep,” Panelo said in a text message. “He is all right now.”

The 74-year-old President skipped his scheduled visits to earthquake-hit Malalag and Padada towns in Davao del Sur on Friday, which was initially set on Thursday, to take some rest following his recent punishing schedule.

Panelo said Duterte returned to Manila on Friday night to lead the change of command rites for incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos, and retirement honors for outgoing AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Noel Clement, scheduled on Saturday afternoon.

“He flew (to) Manila last night from Davao for today’s activities starting with the (change) of command ceremonies of the AFP,” he said.

The Chief Executive was last seen on December 30, when he led the commemorative Rizal Day rites at the Rizal Park in Davao City, 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.

The public has repeatedly expressed concern over the President’s health condition.

In November 2018, Duterte admitted that his age and ailments are taking a toll on his health, but assured that he is still fit to work.

Duterte earlier announced to the public that he has muscle spasms, chronic back pains, and migraines.

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

The President also 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 told the nation that the supposed “growth” found in his digestive tract tested negative for cancer.