MALACAÑANG on Monday, August 31, 2020, said there is no reason for President Rodrigo Duterte to publicize his medical records if he is not experiencing a life-threatening illness.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement after several groups and lawyers submitted a petition urging the Supreme Court to order the disclosure of the President’s health records.
"Ang aking mapapangako po bilang isang abogado, ang ating Presidente po ay sumumpa bilang isang abogado, bilang isang Presidente, na itataguyod ang ating Saligang Batas," Roque said.
"Ang sabi ng Saligang Batas kung mayroong karamdaman, iyan ay ipagbibigay-alam sa publiko. Ibig sabihin, kung hindi naman po malubha ay wala po siyang kinakailangang i-report sa publiko," he added.
Roque said the administration’s critics are disseminating fake news on Duterte's health.
"Alam ninyo po ang mga kritiko natin ay wala na pong magawa sa buhay nila. Ang ginagawa po nila ay ina-attempt po nilang i-destabilize ang ating gobyerno sa pagkalat ng mga fake news tungkol sa kalusugan ng ating Presidente," he said.
He assured that the President will continue to address the nation weekly to show that he is in good health condition.
"Iyan naman po ang dahilan kung bakit lingo-linggo po ay nagtatalumpati ang Presidente sa taumbayan para makita ang kaniyang estado ng kalusugan," Roque said.
Roque said Malacañang will immediately announce any development on the President’s health.
"So, magpanatag po tayo ng ating loob. Wala pong problema sa kalusugan ng Presidente at kung mayroon man ay ipagbibigay-alam po iyan sa ating taumbayan," he said.
Article 7, Section 12 of the Constitution states that "in case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health. The members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not be denied access to the President during such illness.” (SunStar Philippines)