Disclose health status, solon urges Duterte after absence from ASEAN events

President Rodrigo Duterte's absence in six events at the ASEAN Summit in Singapore has prompted a party-list lawmaker to renew his call for the chief executive to make public his health record.

Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano said it was important for the president to ensure that he is able to represent the country with a sound body and mind, especially in international events such as the ASEAN Summit.

"If something ails him so much that he is unable to exercise his duties as President, he must seek immediate medical attention," he said.

Alejano reiterated his call for Malacañang to issue a medical bulletin about Duterte's heath status.

"Mahalagang masiguro natin ang kalusugan ng Pangulo upang mapamunuan at marepresenta niya nang maayos ang bansa," he said.

Alejano said engaging in international summits was part of the President’s job "in pursuit of establishing friendly relations with other states."

Malacañang said Duterte had to take power naps during the ASEAN member-state's breakfast meeting with Australia, their meeting with South Korea, the working lunch hosted by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsieh Loong, the 2nd Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit, and the cocktail reception for world leaders and their spouses because he had little sleep the night before.

Duterte also had to rest and missed the gala dinner prepared for him and his fellow leaders by the Singaporean government, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo had said.

Party-list lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc said Duterte skipped the ASEAN events to avoid questions on the human rights situation in the country and the South China Sea.

"In the past, nakita rin naman natin kung paano iniiwasan ni Pangulong Duterte ang mga encounters with entities that may pose questions that are uncomfortable for him. For example, ayaw niya na matatanong siya about his human rights records in the Philippines," ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio told reporters in a press conference.

"Sinsabi nila power nap, pero I don't think yan lang ang dahilan kaya hindi umattend sa mga activities na ito si Pangulong Duterte," he added.

Fellow ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said it would have saved the Philippine government money had Duterte just stayed home.

"Doon pa siya natulog, dapat hindi na lang siya pumunta doon sa ASEAN meeting. Sana nag-stay na lang siya dito sa bansa natin kasi baka mas may kabuluhan pa ang ginawa niya dito kaysa nagpunta doon," she said.

"Nahiya ba siyang masingil ng ibang mga countries na lumalaban para sa karapatan din sa West Philippine Sea?" she added.

For her part, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said Duterte may be committing dereliction of duty for not attending several ASEAN Summit events.

"Dapat talaga yung presidente ay umaattend at nagpapakita transparently sa atin, nagre-report din sa atin kung ano kanyang mga ginawa at hindi nagawa at kung ano ang mga issues na dapat niya tinackle doon," she said.

"Kung talaga seryoso ito sa paglilingkod sa atin, marapat lamang na umattend siya at harapin niya yung lahat ng mga itatanong sa kanya," she added.

The 33rd ASEAN Summit will conclude on Thursday with Duterte scheduled to take part in meetings with other dialogue partners such as the United States and hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

After Singapore, the President will fly to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for the 19th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting on November 17 to 18. —LDF, GMA News