Duterte’s televised message on Monday night proof he’s in good health – Palace

August 18, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte's televised message on Monday night and his lengthy discussion again about the illegal drugs proved that he is in good health and in "fighting spirit."

In a virtual press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the President's appearance on television was the most effective proof to dispel rumors that he was sick and needed to fly to Singapore for treatment.

"So, the best news last night, the people saw the President - he's strong and in fighting spirit, especially when his message was again about illegal drugs. In total, the most effective to dispel rumors and fake news that the President got sick, that he went to Singapore, was his facing the public last night," he said.

On observation by some netizens that Duterte's right eye was drooping when he made his televised message, Roque said he did not notice anything different about the President's eyes.

"So I did not see anything noteworthy. I also stared at him last night and he was at his best and talking about the anti-drug campaign. So I did not see his drooping eye," he added.

Roque was one of the Cabinet officials who joined Duterte during his televised message via Zoom.

Duterte met first with some members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Monday night via Zoom before his announcement about the new quarantine classification in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. Celerina Monte/DMS