Palace denies Duterte ‘unceremoniously ignored’ in Japan

Malacañang on Thursday belied allegations that President Rodrigo Duterte cut short his trip to Japan because he was “unceremoniously ignored” at the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito.

“Absolutely false,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a message to reporters.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has also denied the allegations.

Spending only less than a day in Tokyo, Duterte returned to the Philippines after the enthronement ceremony on Tuesday as he complained of "unbearable pain" in his spinal column near the pelvic area which the Palace attributed to his motorcycle accident last week.

However, a certain Ding Velasco said on Facebook that the back pain was “just a ruse they concocted in order ‘to gain sympathy for an ailing President doing his duty even in grave physical pain’ and not to be publicly assailed for having been unceremoniously ignored in Japan.”

Velasco claimed the “unbearable pain” excuse came after Duterte found out that he would only seat in the back and would not be announced “among the protocol line of heads of state” during the event at the Imperial Palace. He said the seating arrangement was a consequence of Duterte’s “last minute” decision to attend the centuries-old ceremony.

Due to Duterte's decision to fly back earlier, his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte had to represent him in the two banquets to celebrate the enthronement.

Following his arrival in Manila on Tuesday night, Duterte visited the wake of the late Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. and went to a doctor for medical consultation.

Panelo said the 74-year-old President was diagnosed to be having muscle spasms and was advised by his doctor to rest, avoid standing or walking for long duration, as well as to take medicines that will relieve him of the pain caused by the muscular spasms.

“His doctor ruled out any surgical procedure for the President,” Panelo said. “The President is presently feeling much better.” — MDM, GMA News