DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has brushed aside requests of Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II for a meeting.
Duterte said Roxas had sent word that he wanted a meeting after the controversy over a former journalist’s claims that the mayor has cancer of the throat.
Duterte just shook his head without commenting any further.
Former journalist Philip Lustre Jr. claimed that Duterte has been suffering from and is seeking treatment for the ailment.
Duterte and Roxas can be considered as close friends.
Whenever Roxas was in town, Duterte would make it a point to see the former interior secretary.
Duterte would find ways to meet up with Roxas despite his hectic schedule, and the same way with Roxas who would patiently wait for Duterte wherever they would decide to see each other.
The relationship between Duterte and Roxas was going smoothly even with talks that Duterte would run for president until Lustre’s article on the mayor’s alleged throat cancer came out.
Duterte did not hide his disappointment with what Lustre claimed about his supposed illness.
He believed that Roxas had something to do with Lustre’s claims, or that he was aware of it as the former journalist is said to be in the public relations team of Roxas.
Duterte vehemently denied Lustre’s claims in the social media.
He called Lustre “mentally impotent” and said he should see a doctor.
The mayor admitted to his medical conditions like Barrett’s Disease, Buerger’s Disease and back pains due to a motorcycle accident years ago, which he had repeatedly announced to his constituents here in Davao City.