Duterte denies he had heart surgery

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during the meeting with the Filipino community at the Palace Hotel in Tokyo, Japan on May 30, 2019. (Photo by JOSEPH RAZON / Presidential Photographers Division)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte denied a rumor circulating on social media that he had heart surgery last May.

“Hindi… I’m not without — may sakit. Pero kung sabihin mo na na-operahan daw ako sa heart. If there is something wrong in my heart, it cannot be a heart disease,” the President said in an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s program, “Give Us This Day” on Saturday.

Last May, rumors circulated in social media that the 74-year-old leader suffered from a heart attack and was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City.

The President was absent for almost a week after the May 13 midterm polls, which left the public speculating about his health.

Duterte also had an endoscopy and other diagnostic tests last year, further fueling speculations about his health.

READ: Palace: Duterte tells public when he’s sick

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)