Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and Sen. Antonio Trillanes are welcome to join President Rodrigo Duterte “to have their heads checked” in Israel on 2 to 5 September, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said yesterday.

Both officials raised rumors that Mr. Duterte’s visit to Israel has a “health purpose.”

“He is welcome to join. He is a congressman. If the President is really going to have a medical checkup there, he and Mr. Trillanes can have their heads checked,” Go said.

Alejano claimed in a statement that Duterte would be going to Israel not for diplomacy but to have his health checked.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that Duterte’s visit to Israel was on the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The DFA said the official visit will be the first by a Philippine President since diplomatic ties were established between both countries 61 years ago, in 1957.

Go slammed Alejano and other critics who are praying that something bad would happen to the President. “Don’t worry. To the critics, you might die before he does,” he said.

Go also addressed Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison, who has dared Duterte to make public his health records.

“Before we get victimized by fake news again, why doesn’t he just come home to the Philippines? He can have a checkup with the President. Let’s see who is stronger and who will have a clean bill of health,” he added.

Sison claimed Duterte was in a coma, an allegation that was quickly dashed when Go showed the President alive and well in a Facebook Live feed.

“I assure you the President is in tip-top condition. He can complete his term. In fact, we even went to Jolo yesterday to visit the wounded soldiers, to boost their morale,” he added.

Go said Duterte is strong enough to go to Mindanao to visit those who are in need.

“To Joma, before we fall victim to fake news again, just come home. Have a checkup with the President,” he added.