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Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Eduardo Año has confirmed the claim of President Rodrigo Duterte that his medical tests last week proved negative for cancer.
In an ambush interview at the sidelines of a forum in Ortigas, Mandaluyong city on Tuesday, Año said the President made the announcement in a meeting with his Cabinet officials on Monday night.
“He disclosed to us na yung result ng kaniyang test is negative,” Año said. Año confirmed he was referring to recent tests in which samples from the President’s intestines were collected.
“Sa Cabinet meeting, in the middle of the meeting, sinabi niya ‘By the way, I have [the results of my tests.’ And sabi niya the test is negative. So palakpakan kami, ‘Congratulations Mr. President,’” Año detailed
“Nag-joke pa nga sya. Sabi niya: Alam niyo itong health natin parang baterya yan eh, minsan negative, minsan positive,” Año said.
Last week, the President himself admitted that he had undergone endoscopy and colonoscopy at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City.
“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,” the President earlier said.
READ: Duterte admits he had colonoscopy anew
Año, however, clarified the official confirmation on the President’s health should come from the President’s physician, the President himself, or at least his spokesperson Harry Roque—who was missing in action on Monday.
The DILG chief also maintained he believed the President, taking him at his word. “OK sya. Kung ano nakita ko sa kanya even bago nagstart sya mag-Presidente even now, same pa rin. Nakita ko ok kaniyang kalagayan.”
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go also confirmed Año’s statement.
“Nasabi lang niya negative (He just said it’s negative),” he told INQUIRER.net in a text message. /muf