Duterte says he had his blood checked

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday admitted going to a hospital to have his blood checked.

“Kinunan ako ng dugo. ‘Yang media magtatanong na naman kung ano ang sakit ko,” Duterte said in his speech during the 85th anniversary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“Bigyan ko kayo ng idea. Tanggalin ko nalang ‘to… pagtusok nila kukuhanan ako ng dugo, walang lumalabas, puro hangin,” he added, referring to a band-aid on his left arm.

Duterte, however, did not disclose why he went to a hospital.

Sought for clarification, Bong Go, Duterte’s former trusted aide, told INQUIRER.net in a text message that the President underwent “regular blood chem” (Blood Chemistry) earlier Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo was also quick to allay fears on Duterte’s recent medical test.

“That’s a regular blood test,” Panelo told Palace reporters in a separate text message.

Asked if it’s something to worry about, he said: “Nope.”

Blood chemistry tests are among the most common diagnostic tests performed to detect and diagnose illnesses.

It indicates hydration levels, whether or not an infection is present, and how well organ systems are functioning.

The President earlier admitted that he suffers from back pains, migraines and Buerger’s disease, a cause of blockages in the blood vessels, associated with smoking during his youth. /je