MALACAÑANG on Friday, February 15, merely scorned at the allegation of former senator Francisco Tatad that President Rodrigo Duterte underwent a kidney transplant surgery in January.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he found it "very funny" for Tatad to spread "false news" about the 73-year-old Chief Executive's health condition.
"Tatad claims that he (Duterte) had a kidney transplant. And it's a false news. It's false. He never had a kidney transplant. And very funny because I look at the date when he said he had a transplant," the Palace official said.
"You know what I discovered? The day that he had a transplant, he was there at the Megamall, watching Bato's movie premiere. That along should already -- Besides, mukhang hindi niyo nga pinatulan (you just ignored it). Nobody carried that title, 'yung claim niya na (his claim about) kidney transplant," he added.
Quoting two sources, Tatad revealed in his February 11 opinion piece published at local news firm The Manila Times that Duterte had underwent a "successful" kidney transplant surgery" on January 29.
One source claimed that the President underwent surgery at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City in Metro Manila, while the second source claimed it happened in Davao.
Tatad's allegation surfaced following false rumors that Duterte had already passed away.
Speculations about Duterte's alleged death came when he went on a five-day hiatus from the public sight in early February.
Prior to his short break, 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.
On Thursday, February 14, the President warned to "slap" Tatad, after being irked by the latter's allegation about his supposed kidney transplant surgery.
"Kay ako daw, may kidney trans[plant]. Itong si Tatad [nag-sabi]. Ikaw Tatad, you know, there's a border between press freedom and pag-babastos ng tao (Tatad claimed I had underwent kidney transplant. Tatad, you know, there's a border between press freedom and disrespecting a person)," he said in a speech delivered in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
"'Pag una kitang makita, iwasan mo ako. P***** i**, sampalin kita. Maniwala ka, sampalin kita sa maraming tao (When you see me, avoid me. Son of a b****, I'll slap you. Believe me, I'll sleep you in front of many people)," Duterte added. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)