(UPDATE) President Rodrigo Duterte reemerged late Monday after a two-week absence from the public eye at the height of the pandemic, saying he was healthy enough to discharge his duties and those who wish him dead should "pray harder."
The 76-year-old leader said there was "nothing wrong" with him jogging and riding a bike during the wee hours because "that is not taking the people's time." Duterte was referring to photos released by his top aide, Sen. Bong Go, before his livestreamed speech Monday night.
Duterte read social media posts from journalist Mon Tulfo and Sen. Leila de Lima about his absence. "Kung sabihin mo, may sakit ako ngayon that could prevent me from exercising the power of the presidency, wala ho."
"If you want me to die early, you must pray harder. What you like to happen is to see me go. You want me to go and you're praying for that," he said.
All along, Duterte said he was just in Malacanang, "sleeping alone." He was largely absent from the public eye to avoid catching COVID-19, as some Cabinet secretaries and members of the Presidential Security Group tested positive for the virus.
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Duterte said photos showing him jogging, riding a bike and golfing were taken at around 2 a.m. "You should look at the time I enjoy my hobbies. Gabi yun, 2 a.m."
He said the public should also understand that he needs to go home to Davao City, his home, from time to time.
"If I want to go home there on reasonable basis, I can, because that is my home,
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The President said he was willing to yield his spot in the COVID vaccine queue. As a senior citizen, he is qualified to get the jab ahead of the general population.
"Ako magwe-waive ako, 70 and above, ano pa makuha mo? Dream of what, living until kingdom come? Mag-waive ako, kung sino gusto sa slot ko," he said.
In the two weeks between Duterte's weekly speeches, the Department of Health tallied all time high new cases in a single day, 15,310 on April 2, and record deaths, 401 on April 9. Hospitals are filling up.
