Is Duterte in poor health? Colleague says he collapsed before APEC dinner

President Rodrigo Duterte's health may be deteriorating.

Photo by Inquirer

According to speculations, the President has collapsed twice this month.

Former Senator Francisco Tatad said that Duterte had to skip the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gala dinner for leaders in Peru on Nov. 19 (Nov. 20 in Manila) because he collapsed shortly before the event.

“[Secretary to the Cabinet Jun] Evasco and his undersecretary Delfin ‘Dale’ Cabrera were meeting with a private group in Malacañang when they received the urgent bulletin from Lima about what happened,” Tatad said in his Manila Times column.

He also said that Duterte had to cancel a meeting with Bangladesh officials set last Monday because he once again fainted.

The Palace is denying the claims.

“We would like to assure our people that the President is in good physical and mental health. He is strong and agile and can stand the responsibilities and demands of the presidency,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said that day.

Tatad, however, had a different story.

“According to our best sources, it happened in the morning without any warning. The President was reportedly in a huddle with Evasco, Cabrera and Bong Go when he suddenly lost his balance. Cabrera caught him as he threatened to fall, and he was quickly assisted by the others. The President was then taken to infirmary where the doctors checked him,” he said.

SOURCE: Politiko

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