FOREIGN TRAVELS. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte bids farewell to one of the members of the send-off party before his departure at the Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan on October 22, 2019. Malacañang said the President’s future foreign travels will depend on the advice of his doctor despite his speedy recovery from a recent minor motorcycle accident. (Presidential photo)
MANILA -- Future overseas travels of President Rodrigo Duterte will now depend on the advice of his doctor, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Despite the speedy recovery of the 74-year-old Chief Executive from a recent minor motorcycle accident, he would still have a “continuing consultation” with his attending physician, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.
“There will be a continuing consultation with his doctor,” Panelo told Palace reporters.
Pressed on how Duterte’s follow-up checkup will affect his future foreign trips, Panelo said: “Depende siguro sa advice ng doctor (It depends on the advice of the doctor).”
Duterte, in a media interview on Monday, admitted that he is still experiencing pain in his lower back, after he fell off his parked motorcycle at the compound of the Presidential Security Group in Manila on October 16.
Duterte, after undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging and a medical consultation with his neurologist on Oct. 23, found that he has a muscle spasm, or a sudden, involuntary contraction of one or more muscles.
The President assured the public that his condition was not that “serious” to release a medical bulletin on the real status of his health.
He was even expected to leave the country to participate in the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Thailand on November 2 to 4.
Panelo, however, could not confirm whether the President would attend the 2019 Asia-Pacific Economy Conference (Apec) in Chile later in November.
He said Duterte’s doctor has the final say on the 74-year-old President’s scheduled visit to Chile.
“Wala pa siyang (Duterte) sinasabi (He has yet to make a confirmation),” the Palace official said.
“Depende kasi ‘yan sa consultation niya sa doctor niya. Eh kung ayaw siyang pag-biyahe-in ng doctor, ng doctor niya, eh ba’t naman siya magba-biyahe (It depends on his consultation with his doctor. If his doctor says he cannot travel, he would not travel),” he added.
It would take Duterte approximately over 20 hours to travel to Chile, should he decide to attend the Apec.
Panelo said Duterte’s office would also consider the ongoing protests in Chile, following the move of Chilean President Sebastian Piñera to fire his whole Cabinet to form a new government.
“Anything will be taken into consideration relative to any foreign visit,” he said.
Last Oct. 21, Duterte embarked on a four-day official visit to Japan but “unbearable” back pain prompted him to cut short his trip and returned on Oct. 22 after attending the historic enthronement ceremony of Japanese Emperor Naruhito. (PNA)
