 |
| Image shared by Sen. Bong Go shows President Duterte playing golf at the Malacañang grounds yesterday. (Photo from Sen. Bong Go) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA— There’s no need for President Rodrigo Duterte to make an appearance to prove that he is working, Malacañang said Monday, while critics questioned and speculated about his whereabouts after he skipped public engagements last week.PhilStar said that Duterte's public address was canceled last week, triggering fresh speculations about his health but officials insist that he remains healthy and never left his residence in Malacañang.
The 76-year-old president's last public address was on March 29. To dispel rumors that Duterte is sick, Sen. Christopher Go, the president's former top aide, has released photos and videos of Duterte jogging, riding a three-wheeled motorcycle, and playing golf. Critics, however, claimed that while there are videos and photos that serve as "proof of life," officials were not able to release Duterte's "proof of work." Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said it has never been the style of Duterte to show the public that he is performing his duties.
"I cannot understand the need (to show that he is working) because the president made all the decisions he needs to make, particularly on the quarantine classifications. He continuously supervised the acquisition of vaccines to ensure that the roll-out of the vaccines can be done at the soonest time possible," Roque said at a press briefing.
