PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte's spokesperson and closest aide denied on Monday, August 20, the claim of communist leader Jose Maria "Joma" Sison that the 73-year-old Chief Executive is in a comatose.
Amid the much-speculated health condition of Duterte, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said the President was merely on his "kama" (bed) and was taking a rest.
Go even noted that he had a talk with Duterte around 2 a.m. Monday, August 20.
"Nasa kama lang, nag-rest. Kausap ko pa 2 a.m. kaninang madaling araw si [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] (He's just in bed, resting. I was even able to talk to [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] around 2 a.m.)," he said in a text message to reporters.
Go's statement came a day after Sison took to Facebook and said that Duterte was reportedly comatose "since the afternoon or evening" of Sunday, August 19.
On his Facebook account, Sison said Duterte seemed to be not in good health when the latter attended the national conference of the San Beda Law fraternity Lex Talionis in Davao City on Saturday night, August 19.
"Those who saw him reported that darkness of his face had become aggravated from its appearance the other day and that his walk and handshake had become more unstable," the communist leader said.
"The report is still being verified by the press from the Palace. People are awaiting the personal appearance of Duterte and medical bulleting from his office," he added.
Go said Sison was merely "dreaming."
"Baka nanaginip lang si Joma, then palitan na lang ni Joma ng letter C ang pangalan niya. Siya pala 'yun (Perhaps, Joma is merely dreaming, then Joma change [the j] on his name to letter c. That's him)," he added.
Contrary to Sison's allegation, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. maintained that the President is "healthy."
Roque also said that he had not received information that Duterte was sick.
"The President is fine and well in Davao, participating in Kadayawan. He will have a public appearance tomorrow. As usual, Joma Sison does not know what he talks about," Duterte's mouthpiece said.
"Sa mga kritiko ni Presidente, stop wishing him ill as far as his health is concerned (To the President's critics, stop wishing him ill as far as his health is concerned)," he added. (SunStar Philippines)