Palace: No truth Duterte was rushed to hospital

Malacañang on Thursday dismissed as “fake news” the rumor that President Rodrigo Duterte was rushed to the hospital.

Duterte’s spokesperson, Harry Roque, said the President is expected to grace the celebration of the 69th Araw ng Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay on Thursday afternoon.

“There is no truth [to it]. It is tsismis. It is fake news. The President is fine. Although he went to have a regular checkup the night before the SONA [State of the Nation Address] he has not been to any medical facility since,” Roque told reporters.

“It is in fact a crime to spread this kind of news. There is no truth to these rumors and he will in fact be here in Ipil to lead the celebration for Araw ng Ipil. So his appearance will belie all these false reports,” he added.

Duterte is also scheduled to visit fire victims and wounded soldiers in Zamboanga City later in the day.

The President’s health has been the subject of much speculation, but he has repeatedly downplayed such concerns.

Duterte previously revealed that he has Buerger's disease, a condition that causes constriction of the blood vessels due to nicotine, and Barrett's esophagus, a disease involving the tissue in the esophagus.

He had also admitted to having a misaligned spine as result of a motorcycle accident years ago.

Last month, Duterte vomited during a flight from Seoul to Manila supposedly due to migraine. — RSJ, GMA News