The public should be made aware of everything about President Rodrigo Duterte’s health, according to 65 percent of respondents in a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

Rumors of the ill health of the 76-year-old chief executive spread during his two-week absence from the public eye.

According to SWS, the view that Duterte’s state of health is a public matter was four percentage points higher than in December 2019.

The survey was conducted from Sept. 17 to 20, 2020. It had 1,249 responding adult Filipinos.

‘Duterte is healthy’

Palace spokesman Harry Roque on Tuesday said Duterte was healthy, citing the president’s public appearance on Monday as proof.

“Ang paglabas po ng ating pangulo ay patunay na ang punong ehekutibo ay nananatiling fit, healthy, not to mention mukhang bumata sa kaniyang edad,” Roque said during his media presser.

Duterte, in his address, said his two-week absence was a deliberate move and said he could still enjoy his hobbies such as golfing and jogging.

“Noong nawala ako ng ilang araw, talagang sinadya ko ‘yon, ganoon ako e,” he said.

“Kaya ako nagmo—kaya ako nakaka-swing ng golf, tapos nagmomotor e kasi kaya ko pa. Now the problem is you should look into the time I enjoy my hobbies,” he added. John Ezekiel J. Hirro