By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte attracted more attention this year as he faced more controversies from raising serious concerns about his health to locking horns with the Catholic Church.
In October this year, Duterte confirmed going to the hospital to undergo endoscopy and colonoscopy, even prompting the cancellation of a scheduled Cabinet meeting.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"So, hindi ko pa masabi kung meron ba talaga akong tama o wala (I can't say if there is really something wrong with me or none). But I have this Barrett's and it has been bothering me since, ever since dahil nga sa inom rin (because of drinking)," he had said.
"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," he said. "If it's third stage, no more treatment. I will not prolong the agony in this office or anywhere."
Less than a week later, Duterte revealed that his test results came out negative for cancer.
'God is stupid'
In June this year, Duterte's tiff with the Catholic Church was elevated to another level after he called God "stupid" and for shooting down the creation story in the Bible, questioning God for creating an event that would degrade the quality of His work.
Duterte, however, later on apologized for his remarks and insisted that he is not an atheist. He said that he believes in God as a supreme being and he willed for him to become president.
In a speech in Jerusalem this year, Duterte said that claims that he does not believe in God is just politics. He explained that he is just defending himself from members of the Church who use the pulpit in criticizing him.
"You know, when you attack me in public using God as a platform picturing me or portraying me as a devil or --- you open the issue to debate," he had said.
"I believe in the supreme God that my father and mother passed into me. So huwag kayong maniwala diyan sa intriga na hindi ako naniniwala ng Diyos. Politka lang 'yan (don't believe it when they say that I do not believe in God. That's just politics)," he added.
Duterte, however, expressed doubt if the Catholic Church can still stand the test of time especially with the controversies hounding the institution.
In August, Duterte agreed to stop making remarks against the Church, even forming a four-man committee to hold dialogues and attempt to mend ties with the institution. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, admitted this month that he does not know what happened to the said committee.
Kiss in Korea
Duterte was also criticized for his controversial kiss with a married Filipina when he visited Seoul, South Korea mid-2018.
Days after he returned to Manila, Duterte told his critics not to impose their morality on him as he insisted that the kiss was only a mere showbiz act. He also explained that there was no malice with the act and that kissing women was his way even he was just still mayor of Davao City.
"Style ko ‘yan eh. Maghanap kayo ng ibang style ninyo (That's my style. Find your own). There is nothing wrong in a simple kiss you cause an uproar. Inggit lang ‘yan sila (They are just jealous)," he said.
Absence in ASEAN events
The President's absence in some events during the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Singapore last month.
Malacañang explained that Duterte's absence to six events on the second day of the Summit was not because of his health, but because the President was taking "power naps" due to lack of sleep the day before.
According to Panelo, Duterte really did not miss anything with his absence as he was only to read a statement. The President was represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. in the events he was absent.
Duterte vs. critics
Malacañang meanwhile insisted that President Duterte is not trying to silence his critics despite the government's moves against some of those who were vocal against the President's policies.
According to Panelo, the right to express oneself is very much respected in the Philippines and the fact that detractors and critics of the President continue to air their protests in various media platforms is an irrefutable proof of it.
"Should there be cases of censorship, people are always free to seek redress from the courts. We note that there are no reports of such cases," he said.
In February this year, Rappler was barred from entering Malacañang and covering presidential events after the media organization's ownership was questioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
This month, the government also filed tax evasion charges against Rappler head Maria Ressa. Panelo, however, explained that the charges are not tantamount to censorship, adding that tax evasion is a serious offense in the Philippines.
Duterte also revoked the amnesty granted to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in September this year, saying it was faulty from the beginning as the Senator did not apply for one. Duterte also said that Trillanes' application was signed by former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin when it should have been done by the President.
Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox was deported last month for supposedly violating an order prohibiting foreigners from participating in protest rallies. According to Duterte, no foreigner has the right to criticize him, adding that the right is only reserved for Filipinos.
The President, meanwhile, issued scalding remarks against the Catholic Church anew this month after committing to a "ceasefire" early this year. Duterte slammed the Catholic priests and bishops for being hypocrites for criticizing him while the institution is facing controversies of their own. He said that some priests and bishops are guilty of molestation, rape, and fathering children of their own. He also claimed that 80 to 90 percent of the clergy are homosexuals.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"So, hindi ko pa masabi kung meron ba talaga akong tama o wala (I can't say if there is really something wrong with me or none). But I have this Barrett's and it has been bothering me since, ever since dahil nga sa inom rin (because of drinking)," he had said.
"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," he said. "If it's third stage, no more treatment. I will not prolong the agony in this office or anywhere."
Less than a week later, Duterte revealed that his test results came out negative for cancer.
'God is stupid'
In June this year, Duterte's tiff with the Catholic Church was elevated to another level after he called God "stupid" and for shooting down the creation story in the Bible, questioning God for creating an event that would degrade the quality of His work.
Duterte, however, later on apologized for his remarks and insisted that he is not an atheist. He said that he believes in God as a supreme being and he willed for him to become president.
In a speech in Jerusalem this year, Duterte said that claims that he does not believe in God is just politics. He explained that he is just defending himself from members of the Church who use the pulpit in criticizing him.
"You know, when you attack me in public using God as a platform picturing me or portraying me as a devil or --- you open the issue to debate," he had said.
"I believe in the supreme God that my father and mother passed into me. So huwag kayong maniwala diyan sa intriga na hindi ako naniniwala ng Diyos. Politka lang 'yan (don't believe it when they say that I do not believe in God. That's just politics)," he added.
Duterte, however, expressed doubt if the Catholic Church can still stand the test of time especially with the controversies hounding the institution.
In August, Duterte agreed to stop making remarks against the Church, even forming a four-man committee to hold dialogues and attempt to mend ties with the institution. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, admitted this month that he does not know what happened to the said committee.
Kiss in Korea
Duterte was also criticized for his controversial kiss with a married Filipina when he visited Seoul, South Korea mid-2018.
Days after he returned to Manila, Duterte told his critics not to impose their morality on him as he insisted that the kiss was only a mere showbiz act. He also explained that there was no malice with the act and that kissing women was his way even he was just still mayor of Davao City.
"Style ko ‘yan eh. Maghanap kayo ng ibang style ninyo (That's my style. Find your own). There is nothing wrong in a simple kiss you cause an uproar. Inggit lang ‘yan sila (They are just jealous)," he said.
Absence in ASEAN events
The President's absence in some events during the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Singapore last month.
Malacañang explained that Duterte's absence to six events on the second day of the Summit was not because of his health, but because the President was taking "power naps" due to lack of sleep the day before.
According to Panelo, Duterte really did not miss anything with his absence as he was only to read a statement. The President was represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. in the events he was absent.
Duterte vs. critics
Malacañang meanwhile insisted that President Duterte is not trying to silence his critics despite the government's moves against some of those who were vocal against the President's policies.
According to Panelo, the right to express oneself is very much respected in the Philippines and the fact that detractors and critics of the President continue to air their protests in various media platforms is an irrefutable proof of it.
"Should there be cases of censorship, people are always free to seek redress from the courts. We note that there are no reports of such cases," he said.
In February this year, Rappler was barred from entering Malacañang and covering presidential events after the media organization's ownership was questioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
This month, the government also filed tax evasion charges against Rappler head Maria Ressa. Panelo, however, explained that the charges are not tantamount to censorship, adding that tax evasion is a serious offense in the Philippines.
Duterte also revoked the amnesty granted to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in September this year, saying it was faulty from the beginning as the Senator did not apply for one. Duterte also said that Trillanes' application was signed by former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin when it should have been done by the President.
Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox was deported last month for supposedly violating an order prohibiting foreigners from participating in protest rallies. According to Duterte, no foreigner has the right to criticize him, adding that the right is only reserved for Filipinos.
The President, meanwhile, issued scalding remarks against the Catholic Church anew this month after committing to a "ceasefire" early this year. Duterte slammed the Catholic priests and bishops for being hypocrites for criticizing him while the institution is facing controversies of their own. He said that some priests and bishops are guilty of molestation, rape, and fathering children of their own. He also claimed that 80 to 90 percent of the clergy are homosexuals.