Duterte jokes about online rumors of his death

Responding on online rumors of his death, President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday asked for messages from priests and the last wishes of drug users, which he said he would deliver to God.

"My reaction to my passing away. I will ask God first if he’s available for interview kasi pupunta na ako 'dun,” Duterte said in a video posted on his partner Honeylet Avanceña's Facebook page.

“Ano mga mensahe ninyo? Dadalhin ko, pari, obispo, lahat. And 'yung last wish ng mga durugista, ilista ninyo. Ako na ang magdala doon sa langit o sa impyerno. Depende lang," he added.

In a separate video, Duterte asked those who believed the rumor to pray for him.

"For those who believe in the news that I passed away. Then I request of you, please pray for me, for the eternal repose of my soul," Duterte said.

President Duterte, in videos posted by his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña on Facebook on Sunday afternoon, addressed rumors that he has passed away. | via @virgillopez (Video: Malacañang Press Corps) pic.twitter.com/YuklzosWQj

— GMA News (@gmanews) February 3, 2019

The President even asked those who believed the rumors to pray for the “eternal repose” of his soul. | via @virgillopez (Video: Malacañang Press Corps) pic.twitter.com/QeXnJfhRVo

— GMA News (@gmanews) February 3, 2019

Another video showed Avanceña holding up the day's newspapers as Duterte sat opposite her.

Proof of life. Honeylet Avanceña and Pres. Duterte show today’s newspapers as proof that he is alive contradicting rumors that he has passed away (video: MPC) @gmanews pic.twitter.com/A5D1UCbQuY

— Joseph Morong (@Joseph_Morong) February 3, 2019

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea told reporters that the president is “okay,” while admitting that Duterte does not feel good all the time.

“He is OK and ready to rumble. Hindi naman siya si Superman. Siya ay tao po lamang na paminsan-minsan ay 'not feeling well.' Di ba?” Medialdea said.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo praised Duterte as "a President who not only is unstoppable in changing the landscape and culture of politics in this country as well as putting an end to the drug menace, corruption, criminality and rebellion, but who appears to be indestructible and apparently immune from serious illness despite his punishing schedule that when [certain persons] hear PRRD cancelling a day’s activities, they use it as an excuse to spread the false news that he is either in serious health condition or has passed away." — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News