MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte will disclose to the public the result of his medical consultation on Wednesday, Malacañang said amid renewed focus on the Chief Executive’s state of health following a motorcycle accident last week and an abbreviated trip to Japan.
Duterte decided to cut short his visit to Japan on Tuesday due to “unbearable” pain in his spine and pelvic area after he reportedly fell off a motorcycle last week, his spokesman, Salvador Panelo said, adding that the President will see a doctor for consultation.
READ: BREAKING: Duterte to clip Japan trip ‘due to unbearable pain’ from motorbike accident
READ: LOOK: ‘Hurting’ Duterte clutches on cane in Japan
Panelo, however, assured that the public need not be “apprehensive about the President’s health.”
“His consultation with a doctor is aimed at determining the medical condition of his body, as well as finding out whether his previous spinal injury from a past motorcycle accident has been aggravated by his recent fall,” Panelo said in a statement.
“The President shall inform our countrymen on the result of his medical consultation,” he added.
The President’s state of health has been a recurring issue in his presidency given his advanced age.
Duterte, now 74, is the oldest Philippine president upon assumption to the post.
The 1987 Constitution states that the President must inform the public of his health condition in case of serious illness.
Section 12 of Article VII reads: “In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health. The members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not be denied access to the President during such illness.”
Panelo said Duterte went straight to the wake of his PDP-Laban party mate and former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr. upon landing in Manila at 10:33 p.m. from Tokyo.
READ: Fresh from Japan, Duterte visits wake of Nene Pimentel
The President was accompanied by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and was received by Lourdes “Bing” Pimentel, Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III, and Commissioner of Human Rights’ Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, among other members and friends of the late senator’s family. /gsg