Palace unaware of Duterte's hospital visit

MALACAÑANG on Friday, October 5, said it was unaware that President Rodrigo Duterte went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center last Wednesday, October 3, to have a medical check-up.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said he was not notified of Duterte's most recent check-up, stressing that he thought the President merely took a rest following a jampacked schedule.

"Kahapon lang po niya ito sinabi. Ako mismo hindi ko po alam ito. Ang alam ko po ay kaya siya hindi nakapag-attend [ng Palace event last Wednesday] kasi nga nag-pahinga siya dahil sunud-sunod 'yung mga lakad niya," the Palace official said in a radio interview.

(He revealed that just yesterday. I don't know it. What I know was he skipped [a Palace even last Wednesday] because he took a rest since his schedule was exhausting.)

Roque made the clarification after Duterte admitted that he skipped an event at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday to undergo a one-hour medical check-up at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

In a speech delivered Thursday night, September 4, Duterte said he was at the hospital to repeat endoscopy and colonoscopy. To recall, the 73-year-old President admitted on Spetember 21 that he took the same procedures.

The tests were done as Duterte admittd that his Barrett's esophadus, a condition in which the esophagus changes, had gotten "worse."

READ: After Palace denial, Duterte admits going to hospital

Duterte's latest pronouncement contradicted Roque and Special Asssitant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go's Thursday statement that there was "no truth" that the Chief Executvie was rushed to the hospital.

READ: Palace shoots down rumors about Duterte in hospital

Amid rumors about his deteriorating health, Duterte said he has yet to find out the real status of his health, but assured the public that he would not hide it if he has serious ailment.

"I don't know where I'm now physically but I have to wait for that. 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," Duterte said.

Despite Duterte's admission, Roque maintained that the President's latest medical check-up was not a cause for concern.

He said Duterte remains "healthy" and "strong."

"Malusog po, nakita niyo naman kahapon. Ang kumakalat na tsismis ay kung anu-ano raw ang nangyari kay Presidente, hindi naman po. Malakas naman ang Presidente (He's healthy, based on what you've seen yesterday. There is not truth to the rumors spreading that the President is ill. The President si strong)," he said.

"Ito po ay karamdaman ng isang 73 years old, pero hindi po ito exceptional na karamdaman (This is a common illness of a 73-year-old person. But this is not an exception ailment)," Roque added.