Escudero: Medical procedures not conclusive of Duterte’s state of health
Senator Francis Escudero on Sunday clarified on Sunday that the medical procedures revealed by President Rodrigo Duterte were not “findings” on his health but were “diagnostic in nature.” Hence, the chief executive must issue only a medical bulletin.
Escudero noted that under the Constitution, the President should inform the public of his or her “status of health.”
“The procedures mentioned by the President are diagnostic in nature and are not “findings” or conclusions regarding his state of health,” Escudero explained to reporters in a text message.
“What the Constitution is referring to is the latter or his “state of health,” he said.
The senator underscored the President’s effort in admitting that he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center for a medical checkup.
READ: Duterte admits hospital visit for colonoscopy
“To be fair to PRRD (Duterte), the denials of his spokespersons, notwithstanding, he himself candidly admitted the tests that he went through,” Escudero said, referring to the denials made by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Special Assistant to the President Bong Go.
“I think he will be equally candid with respect to the “findings,” if any, and his spokespersons should take the cue from their boss with respect to this issue and not second guess him as regards his candidness and honesty with respect to this and other matters,” Escudero added.
Prior to Duterte’s announcement, both Roque and Go denied that the President went to the hospital on Thursday.
Roque even posted on Facebook a video showing the President attending a conference in Malacañang.
READ: Duterte not sick, Facebook video shows
Go, meanwhile, assured the public that Duterte is in good shape and that the rumor on the President’s health is “100 percent” not true. /ee
READ: Duterte hospitalized? 100% not true, Bong Go says
