Palace hits Duterte’s political enemies, haters for “ghoulish fake news” about his health

August 21, 2020

Malacanang slammed on Friday President Rodrigo Duterte's political enemies and haters who continue to spread "ghoulish fake news" about his health.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said instead of spending millions of pesos to disseminate fake news, the money should have been used to aid the people amid the health crisis.

"'An idle mind is the devil’s workshop',  as they say, and with plenty of free time during the lockdown, the President’s political enemies and haters, who became instant photo and video analysts, thought of nothing but to spread ghoulish fake news probably using million of pesos which could have been better utilized in helping our people during this time of pandemic," he said.

Roque issued the statement as speculations about Duterte's health status continue, including his supposed secret trip to Singapore where he allegedly sought medical help.

"It is preposterous that certain quarters have continued to peddle the false narrative of the Singapore trip in relation to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s health, notwithstanding the release of the video of PRRD, photos with his family and the Chief Executive’s Talk to the Nation Address, which clearly demolished the circulating bogus information," he said.

"Next time we expect them to consult with witches to case a spell on PRRD," Roque added.

Duterte, in a recent televised message, said that if he would go abroad, like Singapore, he would not hide it.

He has said that like any other Filipinos, he has also the right to travel. Celerina Monte/DMS