No need to worry about Duterte’s health, Palace assures

MANILA, Philippines – There is no need to worry about President Rodrigo Duterte’s health after he revealed he has neuromuscular disease Myasthenia gravis, which usually affects senior citizens, Malacanang pointed out Monday morning.

“Mukha namang hindi (There seems to be no need to worry),” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Monday in an interview won ANC when asked if about Duterte’s health.

“Nakita mo naman ang schedule niya diba? I am even amazed how he was able to survive this Russian trip. My God, we flew to this, Sochi. Pagdating doon, trabaho kaagad tapos balik ka nanaman (You saw his schedule right? I am amazed that he was able to survive this Russian trip. My God, we flew to this, Sochi. When we got there, he worked immediately and flew back again),” Panelo added.

Panelo said Duterte’s condition was an ordinary sickness of the elderly.

“Alam ko dati nang, yung ordinaryong sakit ng mga matatanda ang meron siya eh (From what I know, his condition usually afflicts the elderly),” said Panelo of the 74 year-old President.

The President revealed that he has Myasthenia gravis during his meeting with the Filipino community in Russia.

READ: Duterte bares he has myasthenia gravis 

According to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, myasthenia gravis is “a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles.”

The condition can be life-threatening especially when muscles involving respiration are severely weakened.

Duterte arrived in Manila from Moscow Sunday.

In his second trip to Russia, Duterte met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian and world leaders and officials.

READ: Duterte flies back to PH after 5-day Russia visit