Work keeps Duterte going despite frailties

Duterte: Three more Christmas Days and I'm out of government service (Yummie Dingding)

As long as he is still able, President Rodrigo Duterte will continue to be the nation’s father even if his body is desperately craving for rest.

Yes, he has multiple health problems, but they take a backseat because he has a job to do: Run the affairs of the country.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday night, the President said that as long as he is still standing and can articulate the things he wants to say, he will stay in office.

“Alam mo gusto ko ‘yan [rest], ang problema ‘yung trabaho. Kasi walang ibang magpirma niyan eh. So hindi mo… (You know, I want that but the problem is my work. There is no one who will sign. You won’t…) unless you go on official leave of absence. I cannot do that,” the President said.

“No president can ever do that. In between, far and wide your vacation, kapag may nangyari (if something happens). You know the Philippines continues to be volatile. You have the insurgency, you have the NPAs and you have the terrorists. Ang pinaka-dangerous diyan (The most dangerous) are the terrorists.”

The 74-year old President said he only needs a good sleep to have more strength to do his job. He also gathers inspiration from the fact that three more Christmas Days and he’s out of office.

“I am 74 years old. I’d like to talk to the people of the Philippines. I am 74 years old. As a matter of fact, I’m happy that after this, I only count the days, the Christmas, and then I retire,” the President said.

Just like many 74-year olds, Duterte has repeatedly admitted his health is failing in several aspects.

“Matanda na ako eh. Pero nakakapagsalita pa naman ako. (I’m already old. But I can still talk). But when I’m no longer coherent, if I cannot articulate now the things that I want to relay to you, then it’s about time that you call the attention of my family, [daughter] Inday, and said that your father is no longer capable of being president of this republic. Why? Because he’s not good anymore. Then if my family would say, ‘You retire. Do not wait for the expiration.’ ‘Di sabihin ko (then I’ll say), if I cannot talk to you anymore, if I cannot be of help to you, then it’s about time to say goodbye. Until then, and it will come, we just wait,” Mr. Duterte said.

At the same time, the President said he is unfazed over the prospect of going to jail after his term.

‘Yung mga gusto akong ipakulong, then walang problema. Ipakulong mo ako kung kaya mo (Those who want me to go to jail, I don’t have any problem. Send me to jail if you can),” he said.