Lacson on Duterte taking ‘private time’: No big deal

President Rodrigo Duterte taking “private time” amid the problems confronting the country, such as insurgency and illegal drugs, is “no big deal,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.

“The human body, especially that of a 71-year old who happens to be the president of a country that has to deal with all sorts of problems like the secessionist movement in the south, NPA insurgency, illegal drugs and crimes, with corruption in government to boot, is not expected to always stay in shape. President Duterte is no exception,” Lacson said in a text message to reporters.

“Those who came before him likewise took some days off occasionally because of health issues. For me, it's no big deal,” he said.

Duterte has had no public engagement since Monday, where he was supposed to lead the Independence Day rites at Rizal Park.

Vice Presidnet Leni Robredo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano led the flag-raising ceremony in Duterte’s stead.

On Tuesday, Malacañang said Duterte was in “excellent health” despite a “brutal schedule.”

“We know that he has private time. Let’s all wish him well,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said he sees no cause for alarm as Duterte takes time off from work.

“I'm sure the Palace will inform us if there is cause for alarm,” Sotto said.

Senator JV Ejercito, for his part, dismissed speculations on the President’s health.

“If there is anything we know of President Duterte, it is that he is honest, direct to the point and transparent. I am not worried because I am certain he will address this issue, if there is ‘an issue’,” Ejercito said.

Duterte had been visiting military camps, hospitals, and wakes since he declared martial law in Mindanao to quell the ISIS-inspired Maute forces in Marawi City.

On Sunday, he visited wounded soldiers in Cagayan de Oro City.

He later joined the families of the slain soldiers late in the evening at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for the transfer of troops’ remains. — RSJ, GMA News