THE executive has no intention of taking legal actions against individuals, specifically the opposition, who claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte already passed away, Malacañang said Monday, February 4.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace was already "used" to Duterte's critics who keep on spreading false rumors about the President's health status.

"Sinasadya nga nila 'yun, mga kritiko. Actually, galing iyan sa mga kalaban ni Presidente, hindi sa ordinaryong tao (The critics are doing that deliberately. Actually, the death rumor came from the President's enemies, not from an ordinary citizen)," the Palace official said in a press conference.

"Ordinary na 'yun eh (It's just ordinary). We're used to that anyway so let it be," he added, when asked if Duterte's camp is eyeing taking legal steps against those who are behind the 73-year-old Chief Executive's rumored death.

The rumor about Duterte's supposed death once again made rounds on social media following his absence from an event in Palo, Leyte on Friday, February 1, because he was not "feeling well."

On Sunday, February 3, the 73-year-old President merely mocked the claim about his passing.

A series of videos uploaded by his partner, Honeylet Avanceña, on Facebook showed Duterte was making fun of the rumors as he asked the public to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

Panelo said Duterte had to skip the event in Leyte because of "slight fever."

The Palace official, nevertheless, assured the public that the President is fine and just decided to rest for his speedy recovery.

"Sinat lang. So he wanted to make sure na hindi na lalala 'yun kaya nagpahinga (It's just a slight fever. So he wanted to make sure that it will not get worse so he decided to rest)," Panelo said.

"He felt siguro his body was not up to performing any activity that day, so he cancelled all his activities. He preferred to rest. And we should commend him for that, which means he's taking care of himself. He's not pushing his body to the limits," he added.

Duterte was last seen at the groundbreaking of the new site of the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon City, and the premiere of the movie about former police chief Ronald dela Rosa in Mandaluyong City on January 29.

Amid rumors about his health, Duterte remained "indestructible" and "immune from any illness" despite his busy schedule, Panelo said.

"You know they (people spreading false news about Duterte's health) cannot accept the fact that this President appears to be indestructible and apparently immune from any illness despite his punishing schedule. They just kill him in their minds," Panelo said.

"But it looks like they're not affected by it -- the majority of the Filipinos. That's the intention but it does not affect them anyway kasi matagal na iyang kinakalat na iyan (because it's a rehashed claim). Wala namang naniniwala. Natatawa na lang nga (No one believes it and just laugh at it)," he added.

Speculations about Duterte's health remain persistent following Duterte's previous admission that he is suffering from chronic back pains and migraine because of spinal injury he sustained in a motorcycle mishap.

The President has also admitted to having Barrett's esophagus condition and Berguer's disease.

In September 2018, Duterte bared that he had underwent endoscopy and colonoscopy because of his doctor's suspicion that the "growth" in his digestive tract had developed into cancer.

But in October 2018, the President told the public that medical results had shown he tested negative for cancer.

Despite rumors, Panelo maintained that there was no need to release medical bulletins about Duterte's health.

He reiterated that the Chief Executive would only disclose the state of his health in case of "serious illness."

"No. Medical report? Nag-pahinga lang, medical report na kaagad. Pag-serious illness lang. Kung serious illness. Hindi naman eh (He just took a break so why ask for a medical report? We'll do it, only if he has serious illness. But he does not have any serious illness)," Panelo said.

Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution requires the President to inform the public about his health, "in case of serious illness." (SunStar Philippines)