To quash rumors that President Rodrigo Duterte was reportedly hospitalized, former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go shared photos of himself having a meal with the Chief Executive.
Go said the photos were taken at the Bahay ng Pagbabago, formerly called Bahay Pangarap, the President’s residence in the Malacañan Palace.
The former Presidential aide’s photos show the President reading newspapers dated Sunday, May 19 and sharing with Go what appeared to be “palabok” and a sandwich.
Earlier, rumors circulated in social media that the President was rushed to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City following a week-long absence from public eye.
The President was last seen casting his vote at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Davao City during the May 13 midterm polls.
The President was last seen casting his vote in Davao City.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea was among the first Cabinet members to deny the President’s rumored hospitalization, saying he was probably just “resting.”
Presidential Security Group (PSG) spokesperson, Capt. Zeerah Blanche Lucrecia, also debunked the rumors, assuring that the President is “well and good”. She, however, did not reveal his whereabouts.
“The President is well and good.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo likewise denied that the President was confined, saying he was in his residence signing papers.
The President usually spends his weekends in his hometown, Davao City. But he decided to spend the last weekend at the Bahay ng Pagbabago.