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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'He's skin and bones': Zimmerman gives latest update on Duterte's health

'He's skin and bones': Zimmerman gives latest update on Duterte's health

Published Jul 6, 2025 07:35 pm
Former president Rodrigo Duterte is “skin and bones,” his ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman said, but assured that he’s “healthy” enough for his age.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte (ICC Photo)
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (ICC Photo)
In an exchange with Duterte’s supporters in The Hague, the mother of Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, and acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte updated them about the condition and health of the former president.

“I'm happy that I have seen him. He's okay, but he's so thin. He’s skin and bones. Tulad sa picture na ito (like in this picture). He's really that, you know,” she said while pointing to a standee of Duterte.

“And I asked him, I asked him about the food. Ayaw nya (He doesn’t like),” she added.

In good health

Stressing that “we will be here for as long we are needed here,” Zimmerman assured Duterte’s supporters outside the detention facility in The Hague that the former president is “healthy.”

“At least he said that he is no longer taking any meds. He's okay, yan. He's okay. Parang tingin ko (I think) he's healthy, but as an old man mahina na maglakad (It’s hard for him to walk),” she shared.

Zimmerman said as well that the former president doesn’t want to exercise and instead spends his time watching television and sleeping. He also does not read books as much since he prefers the TV.

But if there’s one thing that concerns the former chief executive, it’s Davao City and how Sebastian, as acting mayor, is faring.

“Okay ba daw si Baste? Sabi niya naman (Is Baste okay, he asked), because he's the acting mayor. So, sabi ko, okay naman (I said he’s okay). There's no problem. But your grandson is also the vice mayor, sabi ko (I said),” she recalled.

Sebastian, or Baste for short, became acting mayor of Davao City after the former president, who won in a landslide in the recently held May 2025 elections, failed to take his oath of office.

‘You go home’

Zimmerman also shared a message from Duterte to his supporters outside the detention facility.

“You go home. Thank you for your support,” she quoted him, adding that the former president doesn’t want to be a bother.

No one, except for his lawyers and close family members, has seen Duterte since March 14, his first appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I to formally hear the charges against him.

He is scheduled to face the Chamber on Sept. 23 for the confirmation of charges.

His camp has been working to release him from detention temporarily on humanitarian grounds. The former president is 80 years old.

Related Tags

International Criminal Court Rodrigo Duterte Elizabeth Zimmerman Filipino food
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