HOURS after Malacañang denied that President Rodrigo Duterte was at the hospital Wednesday, the Chief Executive himself revealed that he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, Manila on that day.
But he said it was only for a follow-up check-up and a couple of repeat medical procedures.
The President said he stayed only for an hour at the hospital. He has not been informed of the results as of Thursday evening.
"I don't know where I'm now physically but I have to wait for that (results). But I will tell you if it's cancer, it's cancer. If it's third stage, no more treatment. I will not prolong the agony in this office or anywhere," he said.
In a speech delivered at Malacañan Palace Thursday evening, October 4, Duterte said he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center to have a repeat endoscopy and colonoscopy.
"Ayaw ko na talaga kasi pagod na rin ako. I know that time was up for me. Pagdating mo ng 70 years old wala na e. Three weeks ago I had my endoscopy and colonoscopy. Then I was about to have a...," the 73-year-old Chief Executive said.
(I don't like it because I'm already tired. I know that time was up for me. When you reach the age of 70 years old, there's nothing you could do. Three weeks ago I had my endoscopy and colonoscopy. Then I was about to have a...)
"But yung reading ng aking... Somebody advised my doctor just also to repeat and get some samples there, both dito uli. So I stayed there for one hour sa Cardinal Santos. So, hindi ko pa masabi kung meron ba talaga akong tama o wala. But i have this Barrett and it has been bothering me since, ever since dahil nga sa inom rin," he added.
(But there reading of my... Somebody advised my doctor just also to repeat and get some samples there, both to be done there again. So I stayed there for one hour sa Cardinal Santos. So, I could not say if there's something wrong with me or none. But I have this Barrett and it has been bothering me since, ever since because I drink alcohol before.)
Duterte assured again that he would announce to the public any serious illness that he may have.
He said he does not intend to prolong the agony by staying in office should he be diagnosed with a serious illness.
"Kaya nga wala na, pagsisisi ganoon na lang eh (Regret always comes late). It always comes late. So it got worse," the President said.
On September 21, the President admitted that he had undergone colonoscopy and endoscopy to monitor his health condition since he was previously diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus, a condition in which the esophagus changes.
Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure to examine a person's digestive track, while colonoscopy is a procedure that checks possible abnormalities in the large intestine and rectum.
Earlier Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go both said there was "no truth" to the rumors that Duterte went to the hospital on Wednesday.
To dispute critics' claim, Go released latest photos of Duterte attending several public engagements held at Malacañan Palace.
Roque likewise posted a video on Facebook showing Duterte attending a command conference with military and police officials.
In the video, Duterte was seen walking while shaking hands with the state officials.
Roque even asked the President's permission to take a video to prove the latter's critics that he is not sick. (SunStar Philippines)