‘Wala namang hulihan dito:’ Duterte removes face mask at Palace meeting

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte removed his face mask while in the middle of a meeting with Cabinet officials and infectious disease experts in Malacañang on Saturday evening.

Duterte, considered vulnerable to the coronavirus disease at the age of 75, apologized to his fellow officials for removing his face mask, saying that it is bothering him when speaking.

“Pardon me if I remove my mask. I cannot pronounce the words properly. This thing is bothering me. Pagpasensya na kayo. Hindi naman siguro…wala namang hulihan dito,” Duterte said.

WATCH: President Duterte removes his face mask in the middle of a meeting in Malacañang. (🎥RTVM FB) @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/VrOlJTuIMy

— Darryl John Esguerra (@DJEsguerraINQ) December 26, 2020

The President convenes several Cabinet members, infectious diseases experts, and the academe to tackle various concerns on the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the recently discovered coronavirus strain that is believed to be more infectious.

[ac]

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.