Duterte's camp labels cancer rumor as black propaganda

The camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday denied rumors that the local executive has throat cancer.

 

"No he has none. That is black propaganda," Lito Banayo, the mayor's political adviser, told GMA News Online.

 

Banayo was reacting to a Facebook post of freelance journalist Philip Lustre Jr., which is already making rounds in social media. 

 

Lustre wrote that Duterte's real reason for deciding not to run for president in 2016 is that he has cancer of the throat.

 

"His family is strongly against any presidential run for him because the nationwide political campaign would exacerbate his throat cancer. His health condition could cascade to terminal stage. The info was given to me by a reliable source, who was not authorized to speak about his illness," wrote Lustre.

 

Lustre also linked the rumor to Duterte's earlier statement during an interview with TV5.

 

"Duterte likewise indicated his current physical state in an open forum he had with ABC-5 very recently. Somebody in the audience asked Duterte why he was frequently holding the left side of his jaw and neck. Duterte made reference to his health situation cascading from Stage One to Stage Four without categorically saying that he has the Big C."

 

The journalist urged Duterte to "make a full disclosure" of his current health condition as his name is being repeatedly floated as a possible candidate for president in next year's elections.

 

Banayo explained that what Duterte has is a "recurring back pain caused by a bad motorcycle accident some 6 years ago that caused a dislocation of his upper spine."

 

He said to ease the pain, the mayor is using Lodicaine patch, which is also prescribed to cancer patients.

 

"Mayor Duterte keeps talking about his pain patch for the spinal problem," he added.

 

Banayo also said that Lustre might have "invented" the cancer story or "his source did."

 

Duterte had repeatedly said that he will not run for president.

 

Last Monday, Duterte said that he is retiring from politics after his term as mayor.

 

"I would like to categorically state now... na di ako tatakbong president," Duterte said. "Wala akong ambisyon mag-presidente." —ALG, GMA News