Officials close to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said the chief executive is healthy and continues to work amid circulating rumors that he was sick and had a heart attack.
Based on photos uploaded by Senator Bong Go on Wednesday night (April 7) following the cancellation of the weekly Talk to the People public briefing, the President is at his residence in Malacañang with a load of documents beside him.
“Nandito lang si Tatay Digong. Tambak ang trabaho. Hindi ito ang panahon ng pagsisisihan kundi panahon ng pagtutulungan [Tatay Digong is here and is flooded with work. This is not a time for blaming but for cooperation],” Go said.
On April 8, Go shared another photo with President Duterte from the Bahay Pagbabago in Malacañang.
An already deleted article, circulated online, claimed the President had a stroke which allegedly caused the postponement of his public address. Another post claimed he went to Singapore for a medical treatment.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reiterated on Thursday (April 8) that the President “remains fit and healthy for his age.”
“[We] thank the Filipino people for voicing their concern and wishing the Chief Executive’s strength and good health during this time of COVID-19 pandemic as he continues to discharge his functions as head of the government,” Roque added.
Go earlier explained the postponement of the public address, which was scheduled on Wednesday night, was “to avoid putting him at risk due to the reported COVID-19 cases in the PSG [Presidential Security Group].”
The PSG currently has 45 active cases and 126 personnel who recently became infected.
PSG Commander Jesus Durante III said these personnel “are not directly or closely detailed with the President and are all asymptomatic” and that the President is regularly tested as necessary.
“Ang ating mahal na Pangulo po ay narito sa Malacanang [Our beloved President is here in Malacañang]. He is safe and sound, he’s here, he’s working with us,” Durante added.
False info on PRRD’s health
In a separate statement, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar condemned the deceptive content being propagated regarding the health of the President.
“As easy as it may be for some people to blame the government for any mishap, even the surge in COVID-19 cases, these attempts to wish and to ponder ill intent, and worse, death to anyone, especially to the President of our country, are foul and tasteless, even if meant in jest,” Andanar said.
Andanar also assured the public that the President continues to serve his functions amid the current surge of COVID-19 cases.
“May these individuals and groups become conscientious of their malicious actions. Sowing confusion and preying on the susceptibility of others speaks volumes of their hateful nature. We leave their comeuppance to Providence,” he said. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG-jlo
