Malacañang reiterated on Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte remains to be “fit and healthy” to do his duties and has no serious illness the public should be worried about.
“As of now, he (Duterte) has really no serious condition. And I’d like to say to those who wish the President ill, sorry na lang po kayo (sorry to you) because God has given the President good health,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
This statement was made following Duterte’s disclosure on Monday that his doctor had advised him to stop drinking as his Barrett’s esophagus was “nearing Stage 1 cancer.”
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which tissue that is similar to the lining of the intestine replaces the tissue lining of the esophagus, according to the definition provided by the Washington-based National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.
Roque clarified that the doctor’s advice to Duterte was given “a long time ago”, before the former Davao City mayor became president.
“So you are talking of a medical advice that happened many years ago even prior to the presidency. And I think the reason why he precisely stopped drinking was to prevent (it) from developing into Stage 1 cancer. And that is the context of what the President said,” he said.
Duterte is “reaping the harvest” of heeding his doctor’s medical advice because until now, he continues to enjoy good health, Roque said.
“He is fit and healthy for a person his age,” he said. “And that’s why he doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he has no vices as president because he wants to be in good and healthy condition.”
