Palace denies rumors Duterte hospitalized

Malacañang on Thursday denied rumors that President Rodrigo Duterte has been hospitalized.

“We have been informed of a false news starting to spread in social media that PRRD (Mr. Duterte) is already confined at Cardinal Santos Hospital,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“We wish to inform the public that such information is absolutely false. The President is fit and healthy and is currently doing his presidential duties at his official residence at the Bahay Pagbabago.”

Panelo made the remarks a day after Mr. Duterte addressed the nation in a televised message on Wednesday night.

Mr. Duterte, who recently turned 75, was advised to go on self-quarantine after he was exposed to some officials who were in contact with COVID-19 cases.

In March, the President was tested negative before he imposed the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. —JULIE M. AURELIO