MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte was “in fighting spirit” when he addressed the nation last night which Malacañang had referred to as the most effective way to dispel rumors on his supposed ill-health.
“Ang pinakamagandang balita po kagabi, nakita po ng taumbayan si Presidente, malakas po at in fighting spirit lalo na noong siya ay nagtalumpati nanaman tungkol sa pinagbabawal na droga,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday in an online briefing.
(The best news last night was that the nation saw the President. He is strong and is in a fighting spirit especially when he talked about illegal drugs.)
“Ang sumatutal po, ang pinaka-effective para mag-dispel ng mga chismis at fake news na nagkasakit daw si Presidente at nagpunta ng Singapore ay yung pagharap nya sa taumbayan kagabi,” he added.
(The most effective way to dispel gossip and fake news that he was sick and that he went to Singapore was his appearance before the nation last night.)
Duterte himself debunked reports that he flew to Singapore for an emergency treatment saying he has been staying in Davao City all along.
While he said it is no one’s business if he flies out of the country, Duterte said in his address on Monday night that he will never keep such a secret and that he also has the right to travel just like any Filipino.
Asked about some netizens’ concerns on the President’s “drooping” eye, Roque said he did not notice anything “noteworthy.”
“Hindi ko naman napansin ang kahit anong kakaiba sa mata ni Presidente. Sa tagal ko siyang kakilala, ganun naman talaga yung kanyang mata. I did not see anything noteworthy,” Roque said.
(I did not notice anything different in the President’s eye. I’ve known him for a long time and his eye has always been that way. I did not see anything noteworthy.)
“Pinagmamasdan ko rin siya kagabi at he was at his best talking about the anti-drug campaign. Hindi ko po nakita yun,” he added.
(I also observed him last night and he was at his best talking about the anti-drug campaign.)
Last year, Duterte disclosed he has a neuromuscular disease called myasthenia gravis which limits his ability to control eye movement.