(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte was not at the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. event in Malacanang on Wednesday, Oct. 3, because he decided to rest instead.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement, effectively belying rumors the President had been hospitalized on that day.
According to Roque, the President stayed at Bahay Pangarap.
“He had a schedule almost every day. He did not really have a day off. So the President decided to have private time,” Roque said.
Earlier, Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison said Duterte may be suffering from a serious illness based on the discoloration on his face.
But Duterte vehemently denied this, saying there was indeed discoloration because of his frequent travels to the mountains.
In another speech, Duterte admitted to undergoing a colonoscopy and an endoscopy, but the Palace said these were mere routine tests.