Palace says Duterte has no serious illness 

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — There is no reason for President Rodrigo Duterte to release an official medical bulletin about his health, Malacañang said Thursday, citing that he has no serious illness.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement following the result of a survey showing that 66 percent of Filipinos were worried about the President’s health, higher by 11 points from the 55 percent in September 2018.

READ: More Filipinos worry about Duterte’s health in Q4 2018 — SWS

Panelo said “[this only] shows that there is an increase in people worrying and caring for the President.”

“They want this President to remain in office. They don’t want to be deprived of the change they have seen in his governance. That’s how I see it,” he said.

The Palace official said Duterte “is in fact the most transparent President.”

Asked if the President would release his official medical bulletin, his spokesman said the Constitution only requires it if the chief executive has serious illness.

“The President knows he is not in serious illness kaya he is not obligated to release anything about his condition,” he said.

“His body language, his action, his activities, all negate the fear that this man is sick or nearing death or is incapable of continuing,” he added. /jpv

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