Palace: Duterte ‘working too hard,’ needs break

President Duterte deserves a much-needed break as he has been working too hard for the country, Malacañang said on Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said some Cabinet members have advised the President to go on a two-week vacation.

“I think he should not be spending too much time attending to all his activities at the sacrifice of his health. He’s working too hard and we told him so. ‘Mr. President, take a vacation, at least two weeks,’” Panelo said on Friday.

The Palace official made the remarks a few days before Mr. Duterte is set to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday.

“He said, ‘How can I go on vacation if there is much work to do?’” Panelo said, quoting Mr. Duterte’s response to the suggestion that he go on a break.

The Palace official also remarked that the President sometimes lacked sleep as he spent much of his waking hours with paperwork.

“Healthwise, the President is strong,” Panelo assured at the same time. “He doesn’t feel anything but weariness, since he is always moving.”

Panelo said one can tell if Mr. Duterte had a good night’s sleep—by the strength or the grip in his handshake.

He added: “He’s not feeling burned out. He’s just too hardworking, a workaholic.”