By Argyll Cyrus Geducos Malacañang said that there is nothing wrong with President Duterte's health as based on his very hectic schedule and that his check-ups are just part of routine to ensure that the President is healthy. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(Jansen Romero/ MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement after Duterte on Friday evening mentioned that he had an endoscopy and colonoscopy. In his press briefing, Roque said that Duterte's check-up is just part of routine and should not be a cause for anyone to be alarmed. "I think that's routine. Sinabi naman ng Presidente na talagang nagpapaganyan siyang test regularly. So routine naman po iyan (The President already said that he undergoes tests like that regularly). Nothing extraordinary," Roque said Monday. "Sinabi po niya na pareho siyang nagpaganon pero iisa naman po iyan (He said that he regularly undergoes endoscopy and colonoscopy but that is for the same purpose). That's for intestinal-related diseases," he added. "All medical condition is otherwise confidential. The fact that he's willing to share it means it's no reason for alarm," he continued. Roque also said that there is nothing new based on the findings from the President's check-ups. "Wala pong bago. Routine po iyan just to find out kung merong bago (There's nothing new. It's just part of routine to find out if there's anything new)," he said. The Palace official, meanwhile, pointed out that Duterte's schedule will prove that there is nothing wrong with the President's health. "Nakita niyo naman ang schedule ng Presidente. Ako nga po hindi makasunod sa schedule niya. Karamihan sa inyo hindi rin makasunod sa schedule niya (You know the President's schedule. Even I, and even you, can't keep up with his schedule)," he said. "So tingin ko, 'yung kanyang hectic schedule ay patunay na wala siyang matinding karamdaman (So I think his hectic schedule will prove that he doesn't have any serious illness)," he added. Roque also assured that Duterte will disclose to the public if he is suffering from any illness, given by how the President revealed that he regularly undergoes endoscopy and colonoscopy. "You know, to him, it was so routine na (that) he has no qualms about telling everyone, the whole world that he had it. And so I think human nature naman niya na (it's in his nature so) it's no big deal to disclose it," he said. "The President is transparent. 'Yung mama nga ilang beses nang sinabi na gusto na niyang iwanan ang posisyon niya (He even said many times that he already wanted to step down). He will not cling on if he's dying or very gravely ill," he added. Duterte's health has been a topic always raised by his critics. The last time Duterte's health was mentioned was before he his state visit to Israel when Magdalo representative Gary Alejano said that the President will go to the Holy Land for medical purposes. His claims were brushed off by Palace officials.