Health secretary gives Duterte clean bill of health

October 9, 2019

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III gave President Rodrigo Duterte a clean bill of health despite having the rare myasthenia gravis disease.

Speaking at a media forum, Duque said Wednesday the public has nothing to worry about Duterte despite having a rare muscle disease.

"He is quite fit for the job because, my personal assessment, is that he is a strong man to be able to do his job, which is very taxing, demanding, high pressure job. It's the most difficult job on Earth: the presidency," said Duque.

He said myasthenia gravis is not proven being a debilitating illness.

"There is no indication of the illness or illnesses mentioned having any effect on his effectiveness... this is not debilitating the President's work, and his ability to function and work," said Duque.

"He is able to do many things that even the media practitioners are not able to follow. He is going to visit wakes, visit soldiers and police in hospitaals in different parts of the country, he attends cabinet meetings, which last until the wee hours," said Duque.

Last Saturday, Duterte disclosed that he has myasthenia gravis.

Other known diseases of Duterte are Buerger's disease, and Barrett's esophagus. DMS