Malacañang has assured on Wednesday to inform the public about the result of President Duterte’s medical consultation after the Chief Executive experienced “unbearable pain in his spinal column near the pelvic bone” possibly caused by a motorcycle mishap last week.
Pending the official release of medical results by the Palace, Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo reiterated that there is no need for the public to worry about the President’s health.
“His [President Duterte’s] consultation with a doctor is aimed at determining the medical condition of his body, as well as finding out whether his previous spinal injury from a past motorcycle accident has been aggravated by his recent fall. The President shall inform our countrymen on the result of his medical consultation,” said Panelo in a news statement.
While he may have to cut short his trip to Japan due to the searing pain, Panelo said the President was still able to endure it and even headed from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to the wake of former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Tuesday evening.
The President considers the late Senate President as his personal friend and recognizes his contributions as a public servant to the country, Panelo said.
Malacañang also said the President safely arrived in Manila last night, October 22, at 10:33 p.m. from his trip to Japan after witnessing Emperor Naruhito’s formal ascension to the throne in a formal, traditional and elaborate ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Duterte was supposed to go back to Manila on October 24. Since he left Japan earlier than scheduled, he asked his daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to attend the two banquets—Emperor’s banquet and the Prime Minister’s banquet—on his behalf.
During the Emperor’s banquet, Panelo said the presidential daughter was able to meet and talk with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako, as well as Japanese Minister Shinzō Abe.
“The Office of the President wishes to relay its gratitude to Mayor Duterte for stepping up and properly and elegantly representing the country in the President’s stead as the latter was constrained to leave Tokyo for Manila earlier that evening,” he said.