Duterte in ‘perpetual isolation’ as precaution vs. COVID-19 —Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte has been in “perpetual isolation” to keep him safe from COVID-19, Malacañang said Monday. 

In a televised briefing, Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque praised the Presidential Security Group (PSG) for ensuring that the 75-year-old Duterte is protected against COVID-19. 

“He is in perpetual isolation in the sense that the PSG has done a very good job in making sure that no one really comes close to the President,” Roque said. 

He also said the President undergoes a regular swab test for COVID-19. 

“Nagrereklamo siya dahil paulit-ulit na ‘yung pagsundot sa ilong niya,” Roque said.

Figure of speech

After his press briefing, Roque clarified that he used the term “perpetual isolation” as a “figure of speech” to highlight the “prudence” exercised by the PSG in safeguarding the physical well-being of the President.

“This is in reference to the social distancing of one meter to two meters health experts required us to observe as part of the minimum public health standards,” he said in a statement.

“Much as he wanted, for instance, to shake the hands of those present during his fifth State of the Nation Address, the PSG discouraged President Duterte from doing so as part of a precautionary measure of maintaining physical distance.”

Roque’s statement comes after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who was present in a meeting with the President in Davao City on August 10, revealed on Sunday that he tested positive again for the virus. 

Año also urged people with whom he had close contact to go on self-quarantine and check possible symptoms. 

“Ang Presidente naman po, technically wala siyang close contact at kung we will go by the book hindi siya nag-close contact dahil malayo po kami lahat kay Presidente at naka-face shield at tsaka naka-face mask,” Roque said. 

Roque, who also attended the Davao meeting, said he would be under self-quarantine for five days before getting a swab test to determine if he has COVID-19. 

“I believe the others po are also in self-isolation now even if it is not required," he said. 

Duterte’s health

On Sunday, Roque had denied circulating rumors that Duterte went abroad over the weekend, saying the President is in the country "closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation."

“Nananatili po siya sa Davao, hindi po siya umaalis ng Pilipinas and his health is fine,” Roque said on Monday.

The real state of Duterte's health has been a constant subject of curiosity among many sectors, with a lawyer even asking the Supreme Court (SC) to compel Malacañang to disclose the President's health records.

The tribunal denied the petition without requiring Malacañang to comment. The court said the petitioner, Dino de Leon, failed to establish that he is entitled to the writ of mandamus, and that the allegation of Duterte's serious illness is "unsubstantiated" and based on conjectures.

Section 12, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution requires the disclosure of the state of the President's health in case of "serious illness."

Duterte's last public appearance was on August 10 during an Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases  (IAFT) meeting at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City. —KG/KBK/RSJ, GMA News