Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Tuesday dismissed the issue questioning President Rodrigo Duterte’s health status as he called attention to other issues hounding the country, citing the recent airport incident and the P6.8-billion shabu shipment that slipped past authorities.
“Mukhang lumabas na naman at nagpaliwanag nga na, ano, nandoon sa hotel, may dinner pala. Sa palagay ko, tama na siguro ‘yon,” Pangilinan told reporters during the commemoration of the 35th death anniversary of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque.
(It seems that it was explained that he was in a hotel at a dinner. I think that’s sufficient.)
“Ang mga kinakailangang ipaliwanag lalo na itong mga problema ng bansa, ‘yung nangyari sa airport, itong pagpapalusot muli ng P6.8-billion na shabu galing sa BOC. Lahat iyan ang mga dapat pag-usapan natin sa ngayon,” he added.
(What needs to be explained are the problems like the airport incident and the P6.8-billion shabu slipping through Customs. We need to discuss these.)
The senator is reacting to the pronouncement of exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison that the President allegedly had lapsed into unconsciousness and was in a state of comatose.
The Palace belittled this and said Duterte was “as strong as a horse.”
Duterte’s trusted aide Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go even posted on Monday night a video of the President having dinner to dismiss the issue. /je