Responding to questions from reporters, a jovial Duterte said: "My state of health is - what you see is what you get", he said, adding that his last medical examination was previous year.
After a five-day absence from the public, President Rodrigo Duterte made his first public appearance Saturday saying he was exhausted and needed the rest.
"Do not worry", he told reporters after addressing the soldiers. Duterte, 72, failed to show up for the annual on June 12 Independence Day rites in Manila and has not been seen in public since June 11, sparking speculation about the state of his health.
The president had not made any public appearances since last Sunday, with a spokesperson claiming he was suffering from fatigue, Reuters reports.
Malacanang, however, assured that the President is well and merely needed time to "rest".
His spokesman, Ernesto Abella, said Thursday that Duterte withdrew from public duties to "rejuvenate" after a punishing schedule, which included regular provincial sorties. After all, you have to consider that he has been on the road for at least 23 days in fulfilling his martial law supervision.
Rain-softened Erin Hills provides daunting weekend challenge
Open and British Open and the third at the PGA Championship. "As long as it's a good tournament, it's good for the U.S. Open on Saturday, but Brian Harman stole some of that thunder by taking the lead through three rounds at Erin Hills.
"It has been really brutal, so it is important to allow him this kind of rest", Abella said.
Opposition lawmakers, meanwhile, demanded specific information regarding the state of Duterte's health.
Alejano, a member of the "Magnificent Seven" independent minority bloc in the House of Representatives, said the Office of the President should be honest about Mr. Duterte's condition, as his health was a matter of public interest and a "national security issue".
"I ask for your continued vigilance as we express essential measure for the safety of our people and for the restoration of public order in communities affected by terrorism", the president was quoted by GMA News. "My state of health is immaterial. This is called transparency and accountability, two words that are already lost to this administration and its senior cabinet officials", the detained senator said.
Another factor: the impact of US protectionism on Filipinos working in the United States has been an ongoing domestic concern, given President Donald Trump's threats to close borders and put America first. "Transparency is a must", Baguilat said. On the other hand, De Lima, who is notably among the fiercest critics of Duterte, is a part of the Liberal Party (LP).
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