Rody rides 3-wheeled motorcycle

MANILA, Philippines — Days after figuring in a motorcycle accident that later supposedly caused him “unbearable pain” and made him unable to complete his visit to Japan, President Duterte was back on a motorcycle – but this time a three-wheeled one.

Long-time aide Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go yesterday posted on Facebook a photo of him and the President on their respective motorbikes.

The photo fanned criticism from netizens, who chided Duterte for ignoring his doctor’s advice for him to rest. His doctors said muscle spasm was causing him pain.

Go told reporters in a text message that the photo was taken at the Presidential Security Group (PSG) compound where the President drove around on his Cam-An Ryder motorbike for about 10 minutes.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said there was nothing wrong with the President riding a bike despite being ordered by his doctor to rest.

“After the dinner last night, when he went to Bahay Pagbabago, he decided to ride in that motorcycle for a few minutes; parang exercise, iyon lang. Iyon lang yun,” Panelo said.

“If you noticed, that is a three-wheeled motorcycle. So there’s no problem whatsoever,” Panelo said.

He admitted there would likely be “spacing” in the President’s schedule.  “Otherwise, he is in good health, we don’t have to worry about that,” he said.

The President cut short his trip to Tokyo early this week for the enthronement of Japanese emperor Naruhito, citing “unbearable pain” in his back.

Amid concerns over the President’s health, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. stressed it’s not time to talk about constitutional succession as the President appears to be still capable of performing normal functions as head of state.

“We have already said, we have that on written law – the matter of Constitutional succession,” Esperon said at a press briefing yesterday.

He said it is clear in the 1987 Constitution that “if the President dies, becomes permanently disabled, is removed from office, or resigns, the Vice President becomes the President and serves the unexpired term.”

Esperon, who was head of the Presidential Security Group during the Ramos administration, also expressed belief there is no need for the Palace to issue a medical bulletin.

“I don’t find it in the Constitution for such a minor thing such as spasm,” he said.

World leaders’ concern

As this developed, several world leaders have expressed concerns over President Duterte’s health.

Palace officials said there is no need to issue a medical bulletin since the President’s muscle spasms cannot be classified as a serious illness.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha relayed their concerns to presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who represented her father at the banquets that followed the enthronement of Naruhito.

“The same best of health wishes were extended by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, as well as Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. Other ministers of Japan also expressed their get well greetings for the President,” Panelo said in a statement.

In her message, Aung San Suu Kyi supposedly said “the President must be reminded that he is no longer a young lad and must avoid activities such as riding big motorbikes.”

“Mayor Sara acknowledged this and reiterated our country’s open invitation for Madame Aung San Suu Kyi to visit the Philippines,” Panelo said.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also extended his well wishes to President Duterte and even asked Mayor Duterte if she is joining the President’s trip to Thailand for the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in November.

Sierra Leone parliament speaker Abass Chernor Bundu told Mayor Duterte of Africa’s interest in Philippine affairs, specifically under Duterte’s leadership.

“He said that President Duterte has the qualities of what a leader should be – firm and willful,” Panelo said.

At the banquet hosted by Abe and his spouse, Mayor Duterte was seated at the table in front of the Emperor’s and the Empress’.

Sara also had the opportunity during the banquet to discuss education issues with Susan Dougan, governor-general of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

World leaders were entertained by a performance involving three different traditional arts namely, kyogen, kabuki and bunraku.

Panelo said the Palace greatly appreciated Mayor Duterte’s “grace, charm and dexterity” when she represented her father.

Meanwhile, Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago has renewed her call on Malacañang to make public the state of health of President Duterte.

“We expect no less than the issuance of a medical bulletin on the President’s health. We trust that the President’s doctors would provide an accurate diagnosis, given their professional obligation to objectively assess the President’s true state of health for the interest of the nation and the people,” she said in a statement.

Elago stressed that the President’s health has become “a matter of grave concern and consequence to the Filipino people as it evidently impedes our Chief Executive’s function.”