MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte doused insinuations that he wants to prolong his stay in office, saying he is already “tired” from being in public office for decades.
“Ako, maligaya na (I am happy now). I take comfort. When I go out, I retire. Do not believe in that s*** about extension, extension,” the President said during a speech in Pigcawayan, Cotabato on Friday where he led the ceremonial distribution of agricultural assistance to farmers of Region 12.
Duterte also denied he has kidney disease, which was supposedly why there is discoloration on his face.
The President addressed those rumors when the lights were turned on while he was delivering his speech. He then took potshots at the political opposition for allegedly spreading the rumors of his illness.
Duterte is on the last two years of his six-year term which ends in 2022.
As he denied he is dying from a serious kidney disease, the 74-year-old Duterte said he would die like any mortal being.
“Sabi nila ’yung mga tao daw may sakit sa kidney, umiitim daw. ‘Ah, si Duterte, mamamatay na ‘yan.’ Talagang mamamatay ako. Walang problema ‘yan. Ang tao, mamamatay talaga. Kailan (They say those who have kidney disease get dark. ‘That Duterte, he’s dying.’ I’m going to die, that’s no problem. People will die. When)? It’s only God (who knows),” he said.
“Kung sabihin mong mamatay ako, talagang mamatay ako. Pati ikaw p***** i** mong nagsasalita, mamatay ka rin. Walang lulusot sa atin dito na buhay. Pagod na ako (If you say I’m dying, I’m really going to die. Even you who’s talking, you’ll die too. You can’t escape it in this life. I’m tired),” the President said.
Duterte has Buerger’s disease due to heavy smoking during his younger years, as well as Barrett’s esophagus which is a complication of GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
He also had a health scare in 2018 after he underwent laparoscopy and endoscopy procedures. He had a polyp in his intestines but further tests were negative for cancer.
Last year, he announced he had myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease which causes the drooping of one of his eyelids.