Duterte holding onto cane ahead of Japan emperor’s enthronement

President Rodrigo Duterte was photographed using a cane as he prepared for his attendance to the enthronement ceremony for Japan’s Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo on Tuesday.

One of the photos shared by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Facebook showed Duterte holding onto the cane as the lawmaker and presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte took a selfie together.

Another photo showed Duterte resting his head on the cane.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte "attended the enthronement rites, albeit carrying a cane to assist him in his walk."

Panelo also said Duterte will be cutting short his Japan trip due to "unbearable pain in his spinal column near the pelvic bone as a consequence of his fall during his motorcycle ride” on October 16. Duterte is set to return to the Philippines on Tuesday evening.

Malacañang has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Last week, Duterte fell off his motorcycle inside Malacañang Complex that resulted in a minor injury, particularly light bruises and slight scratches, to his elbow and knee.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah then expressed their concern for the 74-year-old Duterte, but Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. assured them that the President was fine.

Duterte's common-law wife Cielito "Honeylet" Avanceña also said the President was in good health.

"He's okay. Pagbaba niya lang naiwan niya 'yung sapatos niya. Mataas kasi 'yung motor. He's okay, nothing to worry [about]," Avanceña said. —KG/RSJ, GMA News

Photos from Senator Bong Go's Facebook page