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]