By Azer Parrocha/PNA
MANILA — If President Rodrigo R. Duterte really received medical treatment in Hong Kong or anywhere abroad, it would be almost impossible to hide it from the public, Malacañang said on Monday.
This was the statement made by Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that Duterte spent his weekend in Hong Kong to receive medical treatment for an illness he refused to reveal.
Panelo rejected Trillanes’ accusation reiterating that the President flew to Hong Kong for rest, recreation, and to celebrate the birthday of his long-time partner Honeylet Avanceña.
“Nagpunta siya doon kasi yun ang pakiusap ng kaniyang anak na maging parang blowout sa kanya (He went there upon the request of his daughter to serve as a blowout) and it was the birthday of Miss Honeylet Avanceña. It was rest and recreation and a celebration,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
He explained that it would be difficult for the President to hide the fact that he received medical treatment because there would be too many Filipinos abroad who would find out eventually.
“Pag isang Presidente ay pumunta sa Hong Kong or for that matter kahit na anong lugar, hindi mo matatago ‘yun sa mata ng lahat, lalo na mga Pilipino (If a President went to Hong Kong or for that matter, anywhere, you can’t hide that from the eyes of the public, especially Filipinos),” Panelo said.
“Malalaman mo ‘yun, papasok ka lang sa ospital ang daming Pilipino (You’ll find out immediately, when you enter a hospital, there are many Filipinos),” he added.
Panelo, meanwhile, said that the executive has gotten used to Trillanes’ “falsities” and just let him be.
Duterte left the country with Honeylet and their daughter, Kitty, on Friday (Feb. 15) night and returned on Sunday (Feb. 17).
The President’s trip to Hong Kong took place four months after he and his family spent the weekend in the same country for rest and recreation on Oct. 7, 2018.