Asian leaders wished Duterte to get better soon – Palace

October 25, 2019

Some Asian leaders wished that President Rodrigo Duterte would get better soon.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said quoting Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who received the well wishes for the President when she attended the banquet hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for the heads of state and other guests in the enthronement ceremony of Japanese Emperor Naruhito on October 22 in Tokyo.

Duterte-Carpio represented her father in the two banquets after Duterte cut short his trip to Japan due to "unbearable pain" on his pelvic area after his fall from a motorbike on October 16.

"As relayed to this representation by Mayor Duterte, Prime Minister Abe said that he hopes that President Duterte will get better soon. The same best of health wishes were extended by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, as well as Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. Other Ministers of Japan also expressed their get well greetings for the President," Panelo said in a statement on Friday.

He said Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi told Duterte-Carpio that the President must be reminded the he is "no longer a young lad and must avoid activities such as riding big motorbikes."

The Davao City mayor, according to Panelo, acknowledged Suu Kyi's concern as she reiterated the Philippines' open invitation to the Burmese leader to visit the country.

Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also extended his well wishes for Duterte.

Thailand is this year's host of the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits and Duterte is expected to attend the events in November.

"The Speaker of the House of Parliament of Sierra Leone, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, told Mayor Duterte that Africa is closely watching PRRD and what he is doing for the Philippines. He said that President Duterte has the qualities of what a leader should be - firm and willful," Panelo said.

Following Duterte's consultation with a doctor, Panelo has said the President was just suffering muscle spasms and there was nothing to be worried about his health.

Meanwhile, Panelo, in a press briefing, reiterated that the article that circulated on social media that Duterte was snubbed in Tokyo why he returned immediately to Manila and not because of his unbearable pain on his pelvic area was "absolutely false."

"In the photo taken by Robert Borje, our Chief Protocol, you will see that the President was with the heads of state and royalties...in fact, I think it's only the President - if you can count in your fingers - who was given the bullet proof vehicle and was welcomed in the airport. The Japanese government has big respect for the President," he added. Celerina Monte/DMS