Duterte jogs, rides big bike amid health rumors

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night took time to jog and hop on to his big bike within the Malacañang compound in Manila amid speculations that he is sick.

Photos of him jogging and riding a big bike were uploaded on the Facebook account of his former long-time aide, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go.

Duterte was seen wearing a face mask and face shield.

Amid rumors about Duterte’s health, Go said the 76-year-old Chief Executive needs public support, especially as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Mga kababayan ko, malungkot at mahirap ang maging Pangulo sa panahong ito. Suportahan natin si Tatay Digong, ang taong totoong nagmamahal sa ating kapwa Pilipino (To my fellow countrymen, being a President during this time is dispiriting and challenging. Let us support Tatay Digong, the person who really loves Filipinos),” he said in his Facebook post.

Maharlika TV claimed on Wednesday that Duterte suffered a mild stroke but Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar dismissed the report as “fake news.”

Go also shared on Wednesday several photos of Duterte doing paperwork to dispel the report that the President is ill.

Duterte decided to limit his public exposure due to the spike in Covid-19 cases in the country and the implementation of the most restrictive enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained on Friday.

Presidential Security Group commander, Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, said Duterte’s activities would resume once the Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila drop.

Durante, nevertheless, guaranteed that Duterte remains “safe” and “in good health.”

The President is staying at Malacañan Palace in Manila. His last public engagement was on March 29 when he led the ceremony for the arrival of one million procured Covid-19 vaccines from China’s Sinovac Biotech.

He also delivered his regular public address on March 29. His next talk to the nation is scheduled next week.