Duterte admits he had colonoscopy anew

President Duterte admitted on Thursday night that he went to the hospital the previous day to undergo repeat medical tests, belying the claim of his officials that he had decided to take a day off at Bahay Pangarap.

The President said he had an endoscopy and colonoscopy at Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) in Greenhills, San Juan City, three weeks after he underwent the same tests.

“Three weeks ago I had my endoscopy and colonoscopy. I was about to have a Cabinet meeting [on Wednesday] but [after] the reading [of my tests] … somebody advised my doctor … to repeat [the tests] and get some samples [at CSMC],” Mr. Duterte said in a speech to the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc.

The President said he stayed at the hospital for one hour.

“If it’s cancer, it’s cancer. If it’s third stage, no more treatment. I will no longer prolong my agony in the office,” he said.

At least two sources told the Inquirer that the President had a “procedure” at the CSMC.

To dispel rumors that Mr. Duterte was ill, his special assistant, Christopher “Bong” Go, and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque took pictures and a video of their boss in Malacañang on Thursday.