Palace ‘not transparent enough’ on Duterte’s health — Hontiveros

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang, particularly Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, is not being “transparent enough” about President Rodrigo Duterte’s health amid calls to publicize his medical bulletin, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Monday.

The President’s health recently became a cause for concern as he cut short his trip to Japan due to “unbearable pain’’ as a consequence of his fall from a motorcycle ride.

READ: Duterte to clip Japan trip ‘due to unbearable pain’ from motorbike accident

Panelo earlier said that there was no need for a medical bulletin on the President’s health as he was not suffering from a serious illness.

READ: Panelo: No need for medical bulletin on President

“Parang kulang pa ‘yung pagka-transparent ni Secretary Panelo sa usapin ng kalusugan ni Presidente kung ‘yung isang porma ng transparency, which is the medical records, ay wini-withhold niya (Secretary Panelo is not being transparent enough if he is withholding the President’s medical records, which is a form of transparency),” Hontiveros told reporters in an interview.

She insisted that the President’s health is of “national interest” and also concerns “national security.”

“In effect it is of public interest, it is even of national interest. May kinalaman din sa national security natin na malaman kung nasa tamang kalusugan ang ating head of state (The President’s health also concerns national security),” the senator said.

She said she is in support of those who are calling for the release of the President’s medical records, saying that there is “nothing wrong” in making it public as it is part of the transparence and accountability the public is asking of him. /je

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