This photo taken on October 6, 2017, shows Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte gesturing as he delivers his speech at the turn-over ceremony of the army’s commanding general at Fort Bonifacio in Manila.<br />Duterte’s popularity has suffered a substantial drop for the first time, though it remains at a relatively high 67 percent, an independent pollster has found. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE
Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, is grateful that more Filipinos are worried about his health, but his spokesman stressed on Thursday that there was no cause for concern.
“A nationwide survey showed that 66 per cent of Filipinos were worried about Duterte’s health, months after he faced a cancer scare,’’ presidential spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said in a statement.
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The number was up from 55 per cent in the previous poll.
“The increase shows that a huge chunk of Filipinos cares about him.
“They are praying for the good health and well-being of the 73-year-old leader so he can finish his term.
“They are also worried that this president, who is offering his freedom and his life so he could save the succeeding generation from being addicted to illegal drugs, will not make it through his presidency,’’ Panelo said.
According to him, a grateful president assures the nation that there is no cause for worry as he is in a fine state of health.
“His punishing schedule of activities in attending and responding to the needs of the citizenry is proof of his good physical condition,’’ he added.
Duterte has been dogged by rumours about his health since he became president in 2016.
Critics have been calling for his administration to issue regular medical bulletins, though he said there was no need for that.
In October, Duterte faced a cancer scare after doctors found a growth in his digestive tract.
However, cancer tests produced negative results.
