Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano said that President Rodrigo Duterte wearing a face mask proves that the chief executive is suffering in severe illness.
Alejano made the statement after photos of Duterte wearing a black face mask during his visit to Hong Kong several days ago has been circulated on social media.
Duterte was photographed buying some clothes together his family and the face mask wearing by the President made the critics of the government suspected that he’s there to seek medical treatment.
Several hours after the photo circulated, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher ‘Bong’ Go posted several pictures of Duterte wandering around Hong Kong without wearing a face mask.
“Nakatakip ang mukha ng pangulo ng mask. Isa itong indikasyon na may malubha siyang sakit na iniiwasang maimpeksiyon,” said Alejano.
According to him, he would not believe that Duterte wore the face mask to hide his identity because there are many Filipinos working in Hong Kong know the people who accompanied the President during his trip.
“Naniniwala ako na ang pagsuot ng mask ay hindi para ikubli ang pagkatao ng Pangulo dahil kilala naman ng libu-libong Pilipino sa Hong Kong si SAP Bong Go, Honeylet Avanceña at ang anak nito, pati ang halos dalawampung security escorts na kasama ng pangulo,” said Alejano.
He urged Malacanang not the hide the true condition of the President because the people has the right to know the real health of Duterte.
“Muli, nanawagan ako sa Malacañang na isa-publiko ang tunay na estado ng kalusugan ng pangulo. Nais natin na malusog siya at nasa tamang kondisyon at pag-iisip upang maharap niya ang samu’t saring problema na kinakaharap ng bansa ngayon,” said Alejano.
On Tuesday, Go announced that the President is “cancer-free” and can finish his term.
“Sorry to disappoint his critics, the President is very healthy and in high spirits. I know for a fact that he is cancer-free,” Go told reporters.
“He will finish his term and live beyond 2022. Tuloy lang po ang aming trabaho. Salamat po sa inyong concern sa kaniyang kalusugan. I assure you, there is nothing to worry about.”
The President itself also denies that he went to Hong Kong to seek medical attention.