Singer Bituin Escalante can’t help but ask if it’s the right time for Vice President Leni Robredo to take-over in leading the country following rumors about President Rodrigo Duterte’s health.
In a tweet, Bituin shared a screenshot of the definition of perpetual which means continuing forever or everlasting with a caption “So… shouldn’t the VP takeover at this point?”
So… shouldn’t the VP takeover at this point?#LetLeniLead pic.twitter.com/3ZM71Ywzl2
— bituin escalante (@gobituin) August 17, 2020
This after rumors about President Duterte’s failing health have been circulating on social media.
While the President through Senator Bong Go has already quelled the issue with a picture of President’s proof of life and his latest public appearance via his weekly late-night public address, people can’t help but continue to inquire about the true state of the President’s health.
Escalante’s tweet also came on the heels of Presidential spokesman Harry Roque’s statement about the health condition of President Duterte.
“The President is in perpetual isolation because no one can come close to him. I think sinabi ko na rin sa inyo (I’ve told you), whenever we meet with him, there is a velvet rope that keeps him at least six feet away from everyone else so no one can really come close to the President,” said Roque
“He does undergo regular PCR [polymerase chain reaction] tests. Nagrereklamo siya nga kasi paulit-ulit na yung pagsundot sa ilong niya (He complains about the discomfort of the swab tests). And I think it’s also a requirement of Davao City Mayor Sara whenever he goes back in Davao so he complies with the requirements of the local government,” he added.
Roque, however, clarified his statement later on saying his use of ‘perpetual isolation’ was just a mere figure of speech to highlight the strict health protocol being enforced by the PSG to the President.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarifies his earlier remark that President Duterte is in "perpetual isolation." | via @arianne_merez pic.twitter.com/CCun0lgCbl
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) August 17, 2020
Columnist Philip Lustre Jr. meanwhile said the Palace should let the world know the real condition of the President. He then alluded that when it happens that Duterte was indeed seriously ill, it’s sure that current allies will quickly jump ship and leave Duterte behind.
To which Butin said “Sa infighting pa lang nila, Sobrang gulo niyan.”
Sa infighting pa lang nila, Sobrang gulo niyan.
— bituin escalante (@gobituin) August 17, 2020
Duterte’s real health status has been questioned several times following his occasional long absences from public view.
Just recently lawyer Dino de Leon filed a petition at the Supreme Court asking the Executive Department to release Duterte latest psychological examination results, health bulletins, and other medical records, invoking Section 12, Article VII of the Constitution which says “In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health.”
De Leon’s petition anchored on Duterte’s own admission that he has had several ailments like Buerger’s disease, myasthenia gravis, and his several unintelligible ramblings during his public addresses.
The Supreme Court, however, dismissed the petition with a vote of 13-2.
