President Duterte remained in good health condition and continued to perform his duties as the country's leader, Malacañang declared Thursday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque sought to assure the nation about the President's health following nasty rumors arising from his decision to postpone his public address this week.
(KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO)
Duterte's public address originally set this week has been canceled after several members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) contracted the coronavirus disease. The President's "Talk to the People" will be moved to next week, according to the Palace.
"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte remains fit and healthy for his age," Roque said in a statement Thursday, April 8.
Roque also extended the appreciation to the public who wished the President's safety and health during the pandemic.
"We thank the Filipino people for voicing their concern and wishing the Chief Executive's strength and good health during this time of COVID-19 pandemic as he continues to discharge his functions as head of the government," he said.
After Malacanang announced the postponement of the President's address to next week, PSG commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III announced that several security personnel were indeed infected with COVID-19. The cancelation of the President’s activity was meant to reduce Duterte's exposure to the virus.
Durante however immediately assured that the President was safe and in good health since the infected personnel were not part of his close-in security detail.
The President's last public address was on March 29 shortly after he met with top government officials on pandemic response and welcomed the arrival of another batch of Sinovac vaccines in the country.
The hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo" became one of the trending topics on Twitter Wednesday as netizens started to look for the President's whereabouts.
When rumors spread that Duterte supposedly had a mild stroke, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar moved quickly to shut down the "fake news." He cautioned the public against falling for false information about the President's health.