Duterte’s medical records: Palace invokes patient privilege

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is invoking patient privilege, following President Duterte’s admission that he went through colonoscopy and endoscopy to determine whether he has cancer or not.

“As I said, the result of the examination, whether or not it could be made public, would depend on what they find out. If it’s not serious, we have no right to inquire into it. If it’s serious, (Duterte) would be compelled (to reveal it),” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said yesterday.

Since Duterte admitted to the medical examination, Roque said it only showed that the President is not hiding his health issues.

“Beyond what (Duterte) said, he is still entitled to privacy in this matter,” the presidential spokesman said.

“Perhaps we would need to bring in your physician,” Roque told Duterte. “It’s the only way to stop all talks about your health.”

“As a lawyer, (Duterte) knows the Constitution says if it’s a serious illness he will inform the nation,” Roque said.

“It is crucial not only to respect the privacy of a patient, but also to preserve his or her confidence in the medical profession and in the health services in general,” Roque added.

‘Solve problems’

After Duterte called her weak and incapable of leading the country, Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday lashed out at the Chief Executive for failing to address the country’s problems.

“No one wants the President to get sick. But his sickness is not a reason for him to underestimate me once again,” Robredo said in Filipino.

“We are elected by the people to make their lives better. But because of the strategy of the President in the past two years, prices of commodities have increased, life has become even harder, there are more allegations of corruption and thousands of Filipinos have been killed,” she added.

Robredo issued the statement after Duterte said he will not resign to give the presidency to her.

“Even her public statements, I do not mean to offend the lady. She’s very good, she’s gentle. But Leni is weak,” Duterte said in a speech before the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association on Thursday.

“She is not stupid because she passed the bar, but her strategy is weak,” Duterte added in Filipino.

In response, Robredo said she prefers to work silently rather than engage in politicking.

“But I will say this now: courage, strength and strategy do not come from disparaging language. What the people need is courage through action,” Robredo said.

“We should act on the problems of the country instead of blaming others: the previous administration, his critics, me. We as leaders swore to work for Filipinos who wake up every day to give their families better lives. I wake every day to do just that,” Robredo added.

Meanwhile, senators downplayed the concerns about Duterte’s health.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the procedures undertaken by the President were common for “older people like us.”      

Sotto added that he has no doubt about Duterte’s willingness to share the results of his tests to the public. 

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, a party-mate of the President in Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, said the colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures performed on Duterte were nothing unusual especially for his age.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said it is best to wait for the President to disclose the results of his tests rather than speculate about his health.

But the President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, does not believe her father is suffering from any serious illness. 

“If it is already third stage cancer then he should already be undergoing chemotherapy. And then the President, I guess, would no longer be going around and would no longer be seen in public,” Duterte-Carpio said.

Duterte-Carpio added that her father is not used to attending functions held in the daytime.

Trip abroad

“I don’t know about (Duterte’s) medical condition based on his endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures. I don’t think there are results as of yet,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque told The STAR when asked for his comment.

Duterte will push through his planned visit to Kuwait this month, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said yesterday. 

Bello, who was at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for an interagency meeting on issues involving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), confirmed Duterte’s upcoming trip amid health concerns. – With Janvic Mateo, Sheila Crisostomo, Marvin Sy, Edith Regalado