Palace denies Duterte passed out on way to meeting

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella. JOAN BONDOC/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA — Malacañang has denied reports that President Duterte  “passed out” on his way to attend a meeting on Monday.

In a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said: “No such thing (happened).”

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Special Presidential Assistant Christopher Go also both denied that the President had collapsed.

Reporters covering Malacañang received text messages past Monday noon claiming Mr. Duterte “passed out” moments before he was set to attend a meeting in the Palace.

The President was supposed to meet with senior Bangladeshi officials at 2:30 p.m., but he had to skip the meeting “due to pressing matters that demand the President’s immediate attention,” said Abella.

Abella said the representatives of the Bangladeshi government had met with the appropriate heads of agencies to discuss their concern regarding the stolen $81 million from the Bangladesh bank, which was laundered in the Philippines.  SFM/rga