By Fernan Angeles
FROM being a sidekick, to senator, to spokesperson and now a psychic, Senator Bong Go warded off reports on President Rodrigo Duterte’s state of Health and assured the public that the Malacañang chief executive will finish and live beyond his term which expires less than two years from now.
In a radio interview, Go, who was President’s long-time personal assistant, said Filipinos have nothing to worry as Duterte is physically fit and in good shape to hold the country’s highest government position.
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala at ‘yung mga nagpapakalat ng balita, ‘wag po kayong mag-aalala, ‘di totoo ‘yun, at kayang-kaya ni Pangulong Duterte na tapusin ang kaniyang termino and live beyond his term,” he said.
The issue hounding Duterte’s real state of health came as an offshoot of his statement hinting on his doctor’s warning that his Barrett’s esophagus may lead to Stage One cancer.
However, Go said that in the 22 years that he has served Duterte, he has been hearing about the issue of this medical condition every year and it is not as bad as it sounds.
While he assured the public of the President’s health condition, Go called on Filipinos to pray for the safety of the President as he is already old and vulnerable to COVID-19.
“‘Wag kayo mag-alala, pero samahan n’yo ng dasal, dahil vulnerable ang senior citizens. Gusto n’ya bumaba pero pinag-iingatan namin siya, pinapayuhan namin na sana po, mayor, Mr. President, makinig ka naman. Delikado talaga at ‘di natin ma-afford na mawalan ng lider sa panahon na ito,” he said.
“Siya ang timon, may nagsasabi na walang timon, eh ano ang Pangulo, tanggalin mo si Pangulo, eh di walang timon. Meron tayong lider na pinapakinggan ng tao,” he added.
Go said the President is expected to fly back to Manila after temporarily staying in Davao City to attend a virtual conference with the King of Jordan to talk about the country’s response against COVID-19.
Duterte, 75, has admitted to having GERD, Buerger’s disease, spinal issues, daily migraines, and myasthenia gravis, aside from Barrett’s esophagus.
Despite this, presidential spokesman Harry Roque maintained that Duterte was “88 percent healthy.”
The President has also belied rumors that he secretly flew out to Singapore recently to seek medical treatment.
In April, the Supreme Court was urged to compel the Palace to release Duterte’s medical records but the petition was thrown out for being “unsubstantiated.”