Duterte jogs, rides motorcycle in Malacañang amid rumors on whereabouts


Where is the President? In Malacañang, in his jogging attire, riding his motorcycle.

(Sen. Bong Go / MANILA BULLETIN)

President Duterte went out to jog and ride his motorcycle, according to the latest photos and video shared by his long-time aide and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go.

Go on Saturday, April 10, took to Facebook to dispel anew repeated speculations about the Chief Executive's health.

Photos showed Duterte wearing a face mask and face shield while jogging and sitting on his motorbike.

In the clip, Duterte was seen accompanied by some staff members who took photos and videos of him as he jogged within the Palace compound.

It was not indicated when the photos and the video were taken but Go was quoted saying in a report by GMA News that the President went out in the wee hours of Saturday.

"Mga kababayan ko, malungkot at mahirap ang maging Pangulo sa panahong ito. Suportahan natin si Tatay Digong, ang taong totoong nagmamahal sa ating kapwa ilipino (My countrymen, it is lonely and difficult to be a President in these times. Let us support our Father Digong, the person who truly cares for his fellow Filipinos)," Go said in his post.

Comments to the post included those wished Duterte well and those who criticized him amid the ongoing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other issues in the country, such as the heightened aggression of China in the West Philippines Sea (WPS).

His staunch critic, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, could also not help but to comment.

"Kung wala kang solusyon sa lumalalang situation ng COVID at WPS, mag-jogging ka na lang (If you cannot offer any solution to the worsening COVID-19 situation and in the WPS, you should just jog)," he said on Twitter.

Speculations about the President's health floated anew after Duterte's weekly public address was postponed twice. Several members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) tested positive for COVID-19.

Duterte's last public appearance was on March 29, during a recorded meeting with members of the government's task force handling the pandemic.

Malacañang has assured that the Philippines' top official is safe and healthy.