Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Ulcer is Rody’s main health problem By Ben O. Tesiorna
SPECULATIONS fly here and there on the true condition of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's health.
After declaring last month the possibility of him going under the knife for the pain in his shoulder brought about by a motorcycle accident a few years back, nothing much has been heard of Duterte's health status.
In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Mayor Duterte said people are now speculating as to what is really his ailment.
"Ingon sa uban naa daw ko'y sakit sa kidney, tapos ang uban miingon na naa daw ko'y lupus. Ingon pud sa uban naa daw ko'y Aids. Diyos ko, asa man intawon ko makakuha anang mga sakita na. Ang akong tiyan maoy problema (Some people are saying I have a kidney disease, others say I have lupus, and still others say I have Aids. My God, how could I get those diseases? My main problem is my stomach)," Duterte said smiling.
The mayor said at the moment his main concern is his ulcer problem. Duterte said his ulcer is bugging him because it prevents him from eating foods he loves most and drinking wine.
"Pag-check-up sa akoa sa doctor ingon nya nga midako man daw ang ulcer nako. Basi daw sige gihapon ko ug inom, ingon pud ko nga wa oy. Pero gainom gud ko, namakak lang ko sa akong doctor. Pati dayok bawal sa akoa, hastang lami-a pa raba ikaon ug dayok (When I had my check-up, I was told that the ulcers has grown bigger and I was asked if I was still drinking. I said no, but I was lying of course. I am also no longer allowed to eat dayok, I like dayok)," Duterte said.
The mayor jokingly told the public not to believe their physicians and ingest whatever food or drinks they want.
"Ayaw mo ug tuo ug doctor. Kaon mo ug bisag unsa (Don't believe your doctors, eat what you want)," he said laughing.
Admitting that he is now on his "sunset days," Duterte said he has no other request but to live the rest of his remaining days with his loved ones.
"Buhi-on lang ko sa Ginoo kutob sa akong adlawng kamatayon, okay na. Bisan karon, sakay ko ug eroplano nga nagkurog-kurog, sige (For God will keep me alive until the day of my death, that's already all right with me. Thus, I even ride airplanes that are not so airworthy)," Duterte said.
