Castro: 'Skin and bones' Duterte stable, might need exercise

Malacañan Palace on Tuesday downplayed concerns over former president Rodrigo Duterte’s health, saying he remains in stable condition despite appearing thinner during his detention at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

"Sa napanood po natin sa pagsasalita ni Ma'am Elizabeth Zimmerman, sinabi niya na pumayat, yes, pero mukhang healthy, ayon sa kanya.” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro, referring to the recent interview with Duterte’s ex-wife.

(In what we saw from Ma'am Elizabeth Zimmerman's remarks, she said he lost weight, yes, but according to her, he looks healthy.)

Castro noted that Zimmerman mentioned Duterte is no longer taking any medication — something she described as a positive sign. “It's good for him,” she said.

She added that Vice President Sara Duterte had earlier provided similar updates on her father's condition.

She also assured the public that the ICC is responsible for monitoring Duterte’s health.

“Dahil mismo ang pamilya niya nagsabi na okay po ang pangulo, ang kailangan na lang po siguro niya ay exercise,” Castro added.

(Since his own family said the former president is okay, perhaps all he needs now is just some exercise.)

Walking weakly

Zimmerman, who recently visited Duterte, said the former president has grown frail in detention but remains stable.

"I'm happy that I have seen him. And he's okay, but he's so thin. Skin and bones," she said in a Facebook-posted interview.

Zimmerman also described her ex-husband’s routine as uneventful and quiet. “He just wants to sleep. He just wants to watch TV. After watching TV, he said he sleeps again,” she said.

“I think he's healthy, but as an old man, he walks weakly,” she added.