Duterte undergoes blood test

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, December 6, revealed that he went to a hospital and underwent a blood test before gracing an event arranged by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Pasay City.

Duterte was delivering his keynote speech during DOLE's 85th founding anniversary celebration when he changed the subject and talked about his hospital visit prior to his attendance to the event.

He revealed that he underwent a blood test, a procedure taken to evaluate the overall health status of an individual and detect possible disorders.

"Ako rin, galing sa ospital. Kinunan ako ng dugo. Iyang media, magtatanong na naman kung anong sakit ko (I came from the hospital. They took some blood from me. The media will surely ask about my ailment)," Duterte, who was seen rubbing the front of his elbow covered with cotton, said.

"Well, I'll give you an idea. Tanggalin ko na lang 'to. Ayan, may dugo kaunti. Pero 'pag tusok nila sa syringe, kukunan akong dugo, walang lalabas, puro hangin (I'll remove the cotton. There's a little blood. They used syringe to take my blood but they get nothing but air)," he added.

The President did not elaborate on his visit to the hospital.

Duterte, 73, first bared on September 21 that he had undergone colonoscopy and endoscopy in relation to the previous diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus, a condition in which the esophagus changes.

Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure to examine a person's digestive tract, while colonoscopy is a procedure that checks for abnormalities in the large intestine and rectum.

On October 4, Duterte announced that he underwent another endoscopy and colonoscopy, hinting that his Barrett's esophagus had gotten worse and might have developed into cancer.

MalacaƱang then admitted on October 5 that the 73-year-old Chief Executive was monitoring a "growth" in his digestive tract. Duterte, however, announced on October 9 that he tested negative for cancer.

Under Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution, the country's highest elected official in the land is compelled to inform the public about his health, "in case of serious illness."

On Monday, December 3, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said there was no need for Duterte to release medical bulletins on his health, re-assuring that the President is in good shape. (SunStar Philippines)

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