Manila: Philippine presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has warned individuals spreading fake news following rumours circulating on the internet that President Rodrigo Duterte had recently been rushed to the hospital.
“It is in fact a crime to spread this kind of news. There is no truth to these rumours,” Roque said, dismission reports that the President was taken to the Cardinal Santos Medical Centre in suburban San Juan City in an emergency situation after he delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday.
“The President is fine although he went for regular check-up the night before SONA,” Roque said.
This kind of false news is nothing out of the ordinary for the Philippine leader. On many occasion, his absence from the public eye, even for a short period, has caused several internet rumours alleging ill health.
Last June during Duterte’s visit to South Korea for a three-day trip, several rumours regarding his health began circulating on the internet. President Duterte later admitted to having experienced a migraine during his return flight to the Philippines.
Roque said the President has had migraines before; however, this was the first time it was aboard a flight.
Before the 2016 elections campaign, Duterte had admitted to be suffering from health conditions such as Buerger’s Disease and Barrett’s Esophagus, adding that these are not serious.
Buerger’s Disease is an inflammation of the blood vessels in the limbs while Barrett’s Esophagus is an intestinal illness.
The President is said to have taken pain killers to alleviate his condition.
During his trip to Zamboanga Sibugay, Roque said the President had ordered a massive information campaign on federalism.
He said there is a need for a massive information campaign regarding federalism since a majority of Filipinos have yet to understand this idea.
A poll conducted last June 15-21 by the Pulse Asia Research said 67 per cent of Filipino voters will likely vote against charter change if presented with the choice.
Duterte had said that among the priorities of his administration was to change the country’s present charter, the 1987 Constitution.
The change he wanted was the adoption of a federal form of government.
