MANILA, Philippines — Following recent injuries on his back, President Rodrigo Duterte will spend three days in his hometown of Davao City, beginning on Tuesday, for work and rest.
“I know he will start his rest on Tuesday. About three days,” Panelo said at a press briefing on Monday.
But later, in an interview with dzMM, he said, “He won’t go on leave. He will just work in Davao City at home. He has a lot of backlog, a lot of paperwork.”
“If he stays at home, he can immediately rest after finishing the paperwork,” Panelo added.
Later in the evening, Panelo said in a statement, “The President has declined the suggestion of well-meaning friends to have a rest for a few days.”
‘He always lacks sleep’
Panelo also updated an earlier statement that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will be the government’s caretaker.
“No need [for a caretaker]. You only need a caretaker when he (Mr. Duterte) is abroad and not here, and he’s not going on leave,” Panelo said.
The President’s break follows weeks after he fell from a motorcycle and hurt his back. He also had muscle spasms that caused him “unbearable pain” in Japan, which forced him to cut short his visit there.
“What I’ve noticed about the President, as I told him, ‘Every time you have eight hours sleep, you look good.’ I think that’s what he needs, he always lacks sleep,” Panelo said.
“The President doesn’t really make reminders to us. From the inception, we know the instruction. Do your work, perform,” he added.
Since returning to Manila on Nov. 4, President Duterte has not made any public engagements but had some private activities, including a weekend visit to the wake of former Rep. Rodolfo Albano.