MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte is healthy and cancer-free, Interior and Local Government OIC-Secretary Eduardo Año said Tuesday.
Año said the President made the announcement during a Cabinet meeting on Monday.
“Last night, we had a Cabinet meeting. It lasted (until) about 11 p.m. And I see (that) he was fine he was really good and he disclosed to us (the) result ng kaniyang (of his) test is negative," the DILG chief told reporters in ambush interview on the sidelines of an anti-red tape and ease of doing business forum in Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City.
Año was referring to the colonoscopy results of the President, which determines the current state of the large intestine or colon.
“In the middle of the meeting sinabi niya (he said), by the way, I had my test and sabi niya (he said) the test is negative so palakpakan kami (we clapped). Congratulations, Mr. President. Nag-joke pa nga siya sabi niya na alam niyo itong health natin parang baterya yan eh, minsan negative minsan positive (He even quipped saying that sometimes health is like a battery, sometimes its negative, sometimes its positive),” said Año.
The DILG Secretary said that President Duterte just volunteered the information and everyone really wants to know what happened, especially with the many speculations on his health condition the past few days.
“I’m always with the President twice or thrice a week and he looks okay. I already saw him before he became the President and he stays the same,” he said.
Año said Duterte, being the highest official of the land, is transparent about his health.
Año's remarks were echoed by Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde.
"Well, sana nga no (I hope so). We wish the President good health and long life. Marami pa syang dapat gawin at marami pa syang matutulungan na dapat tulungan na mga kababayan natin (He has a lot to do and he will be able to help more Filipinos)," the PNP chief said. (PNA)
