President Duterte is in "good condition" and will continue serving the Filipino people until the last day of his term although the burden of the presidency has taken a toll on him, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go Friday, April 8 said.
Go served as the President’s aide for more than 20 years before he joined the 24-member Senate in 2019.
In an ambush interview after the opening of the Center for Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) in San Juan City on Thursday, April 7, Go cited how President Duterte has been working non-stop and has been only focused on serving the Filipinos even until his last day in office on June 30, 2022.
The senator from Davao also shared how the duties of the head of state really drained President Duterte both physically and mentally. The senator then underscored that it is only normal for the President to feel tired after years of being a public servant.
“During his presidency, talagang piniga siya. Ibig sabihin, mentally, physically and health wise, talagang piniga (...he was really drained. This means, mentally, physically and health wise, he was really drained),” Go emphasized.
“Kapag isa kang Pangulo, talagang pipigain ka talaga. It's a thankless job pero no regret po si Pangulo dahil ito na ang huling chapter ng kanyang buhay, ibinuhos na nya sa Pilipino (If you're a President, you will be drained. It’s a thankless job but no regret for the President as this is the last chapter of his life). So kahit na medyo... humihina na, at his age, 77 years old... tuloy pa rin ang kanyang pagseserbisyo (He gave it all to the Filipinos. So, even if he is already weak...at his age, 77 years old...still, he will continue to serve),” he said.
President Duterte was previously seen visiting Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC), which had raised concerns about his health.
Go stated that the President only prioritizes his health to ensure that he would be able to serve the country well.
He, likewise, reassured Filipinos that there is nothing to worry about with President Duterte’s health as the doctors of CSMC have been looking after the latter to ensure that he is physically fit and well to continue carrying out the heavy responsibilities of his office
“Physically (fit) to finish his term? Oo, kaya pa and beyond (Yes, he can still do it for now and beyond). Oo, in good condition kaya nga sabi ko papasalamat tayo sa Cardinal Santos at kay doktora (Dr. Agnes del Rosario) din po for taking care of his (Duterte’s) health (Yes, he is in good condition and that’s why I said we have to be thankful to Cardinal Santos and to Dr. Agnes del Rosario for taking care of his(Duterte’s) health,” Go added.
When asked to elaborate regarding the President’s health status, Go cited that he is no medical expert, advising that it is best to get statements from the President’s doctors instead.
Meanwhile, the senator maintained that he does not know who among the presidential candidates President Duterte will endorse, if any.
“I cannot speak on behalf of the President. Nasa kanya na po ‘yan (It is his call). Antayin na lang natin kung anong sasabihin niya sa mga susunod na araw (Let us just wait for what he has to say in the coming days). Ako naman po as PDP-Laban, pumirma na po ako kung sino pong sinusuportahan ng aming partido (For me, as a PDP-Laban, I signed as to who the party is supporting). Kung kay Presidente naman — sa kanyang personal choice — hindi ko po masasagot kung sino po ang kanyang sinabi na ‘mamanukin (For the President— that is his personal choice — I cannot answer as to what he has hinted to be his choice),” he reiterated.