Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — President Rodrigo Duterte said he had a check-up with a cardiologist before attending an event at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Monday night.
In his speech, Duterte said he arrived late at the BIR event because he had an electrocardiogram or EKG.
“Pardon me, nag-EKG ako kasi I was not feeling well. Sabi ko, masakit man ang puso ko,” he said.
[Translation: Pardon me, I had an EKG because I was not feeling well. I said, I felt pain in my heart.]
Duterte said Dr. Del Rosario of Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan conducted the test to check for problems in his heart, which turned out negative.
According to Duterte, Dr. Del Rosario supposedly remarked, “Wala man diperensya ang ano mo. Baka ano ka lang sa EJK. Ang sakit mo, extrajudicial.”
[Translation: Your [heart] has no problems. Maybe your “illness” is extrajudicial.]
The quip was in reference to the numerous cases of extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte.
Meanwhile, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Duterte’s remark about his health was just a “story.”
Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella also did not confirm nor deny Duterte’s visit with the cardiologist before the BIR event.
“I will not say those things. All I’m saying is that, let’s go by what Sec. Martin said, all right,” Abella said when directly asked if there was no check up.
He added that Duterte is “generally aware” of the public interest that statements on his health generate.
Abella also said the President’s ailments are similar to what other 71 year olds usually have, a sentiment which Duterte often says.
Duterte’s health history
December last year, Duterte said he is having severe headaches. He also sustained a spinal injury from a motoring accident about three years ago.
“I have this migraine every day. I had a bad slip the last one was this…and I hit the cement,” he said.
While Duterte refused to have a surgical operation for his spinal issues, he admitted in an interview that he is taking Fentanyl for medication.
The President also dismissed earlier rumors that he has cancer, but revealed he has a rare disorder called Buerger’s disease, which constricts blood vessels and causes veins and arteries to swell.
“Don’t believe in cancer. What I have is Buerger’s disease. It’s an acquired thing that you get when smoking because of nicotine. Nicotine constricts the vessels. Alcohol dilates the vessels,” he said.
