Duterte jokes about contracting COVID-19

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday joked about contracting COVID-19 as he discussed his administration’s response to the pandemic that has killed more than 27,000 people in the country.

Appearing before lawmakers and other government officials for his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa, Duterte said he could no longer pronounce the words in his prepared speech correctly.

He then touched his neck to check his body temperature. Fever is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19.

“Hindi na ako maka-pronounce ng mabuti baka meron na ako. May ambulansya ba diyan? Mukhang iba na ang… You know I cannot pronounce the words. I hope this is not symptomatic,” he said.

Several people in the Batasan Pambansa Session Hall laughed at the President’s remarks.

The 76-year-old leader completed the two-dose COVID-19 vaccination series on July 12. — DVM, GMA News