Although President Duterte is stronger than a carabao, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday urged fellow Filipinos to stop spreading doubts concerning the chief executive’s worsening Barrett’s esophagus and instead stay united in his efforts to overcome the health issue he is facing.

“Huwag natin sayangin ang oras natin sa pagkalat ng pangamba lalo na’t may Pangulo tayong nasa maayos naman ang estado ng kalusugan at ginagawa ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya para ipaglaban ang interes, buhay at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipinong pinagsisilbihan niya (Let us not waste our time spreading doubts concerning the health of the President. We have a President who is stable and he is doing all he can to fight for our interests and welfare),” Go said.

Duterte revealed last Monday that his doctor told him to stop drinking liquor because his Barrett’s esophagus was “nearing stage one cancer.”

“Mahigit dalawang dekada kong kasama si Pangulong Duterte at alam ko ang estado ng kanyang kalusugan. Inaalagaan ng mabuti ng Pangulo ang kanyang sarili. Wala po siyang iniindang sakit na seryoso at hindi natin kailangang mag-alala. Mas malakas pa sa kalabaw ang Pangulo kung magtrabaho para sa kapakanan ng lahat ng mga Pilipino (I have been associated with the President for the past two decades and I know the status of his health. President Duterte takes care of his health assiduously. He doesn’t have any serious health problem so we don’t have to be alarmed. The President is stronger than a carabao when he works for the benefit of all Filipinos),” Go said.

Go, a former Special Assistant to President Duterte, said people should consider the President’s age.

“Who is a 76-year-old person who does not have illnesses?’’ he asked.

This is the reason the Presidential Security Group and his doctors are strict so he would not have any serious illness, particularly during the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Health experts themselves say that senior citizens are the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, said that while the President wants to see and be with the citizenry as this has been his habit, he could not do these because there are many restrictions during this pandemic. 

“Kilala ko si Tatay Digong. Meron siyang ugali na ipapasa-Diyos na lang ang lahat, lalo na pagdating sa kanyang sariling kapakanan. Parati niyang sinasabi na, ‘Kung panahon mo na, panahon mo na (I know Father Digong. He leaves everything to God, particularly his own welfare. His message is, when it is your time, it is your time…). It is all according to God's will’,” he pointed out.

“Having known the President for a long time, I know how much he loves to serve and he is willing to die for his country,” Go stressed.