‘Rody’s well, sorry to disappoint’

President Rodrigo Duterte is in “robust health” and he was only pacing himself when he took a rest from his schedule which his opponents maliciously exploited to circulate rumors online about his supposed death, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“We are sorry to disappoint the ill-wishers and the rumormongers even as we are amused by the detractors’ propensity of running berserk in putting the President in a bad light or removing him from the physical plane in their minds,” Panelo added.

The President himself shot down speculations about his supposed death, after a no-show at a peace and order summit in Palo, Leyte last Friday, through an online video.

According to Panelo and former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go, Mr. Duterte skipped the event because he was “not feeling well.”

“The President is conscientious of his health and he puts a break to his activities if he feels his body is not up to it. In other words, he knows how to take care of himself and does not perform any activity beyond what is necessary or is harmful to his physical being,” Panelo told reporters during a Palace briefing.

“His body was not up to performing that day, so he canceled his activities. We should commend him for that. It means he’s taking care of his body,” he added.

The official also took a jab at those who spread the false news online to create panic and anxiety among the people.

“Rumors are fake news peddled by certain persons who cannot accept the fact that we have a President who appears to be indestructible and apparently immune from serious illness despite his punishing schedule,” quipped Panelo.

The official added the Palace has no plans of going after those who spread the rumors on cyberspace, saying they “are used to it.”

There is also no need to issue a bulletin regarding the President’s medical and physical state, according to the spokesman as he was just “taking a break.”

Mr. Duterte took to social media to quash the loose talk about his alleged death the same day the rumors circulated.

In the videos posted by his partner, Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, the President told his detractors to “pray for the eternal repose of my soul.”

Panelo said the President spent the weekend resting and reassured the public that they should not feel concerned about his absence in some events.

“Obviously, the intention is to bring anxiety and apprehension to the majority of the Filipinos who believe and admire his unorthodox but effective type of governance,” he added.

He also said he was “amused” by his detractors’ tendency to spread rumors about the President’s death.

Panelo, meanwhile, thanked supporters who continue to pray for the President’s health.

“We thank those who pray for the President’s good health that he may continue fulfilling his promises to the nation pursuant to his constitutional duty of serving and protecting the people,” he said.

He shrugged off suggestions on the need for the Palace to issue a health bulletin saying there was no need for it since the Chief Executive was simply “resting.”

“He only rested. Do we need to issue a medical report for that?” Panelo said.

On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Duterte himself quashed rumors of his supposed death by going live on Facebook and quipping about asking viewers to pray for his eternal rest.

“For those who believe in the news that I passed away, then I request of you, please pray for the eternal repose of my soul. Thank you,” the President said in one of three live videos shared by his partner, Avanceña, on her Facebook account.

He mocked reports of his death by addressing viewers that he would schedule an interview with “God.”

He also asked clergymen to send out a message, if they had any, and drug pushers to make their last wishes because he would send them to either heaven or hell.