Following reports that President Rodrigo Duterte secretly flew to Singapore over the weekend to address a medical issue, Solicitor General Jose Calida emphasized that there is insufficient basis to require an independent assessment on the health of the President.
“The Office of the President is not obligated to report on the state of the President’s health because he is free from any serious illness, in accordance with Section 12, Article VII of the Constitution,” Calida asserted.
“In fact, the President has been effectively performing his role as the nation’s leader despite known and well publicized medical conditions that he acquired even before his incumbency,” Calida further explained.
Calida explained that the right of the public to know the health status of the Chief Executive is not absolute.
“The President, just like every citizen, has the right to privacy protected under the Constitution. Being the highest official of the Republic does not mean that he no longer has an expectation of privacy. Being a public figure does not automatically destroy a person’s right to privacy,” he added.
Calida said President Duterte can also decide whether he wants to “disclose information” regarding his health and any information regarding it is “entitled to privacy” if he is not seriously ill. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
