MALACAÑANG played down health concerns about former President Rodrigo Duterte, following comments by his former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, that he had become “skin and bones.”
Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said Zimmerman herself confirmed that the former president appeared thin but looked generally well and in stable condition while in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
“Sa ngayon po, dahil mismong pamilya niya ang nagsabi na okay ang Pangulo, ang kailangan na lang po siguro ay exercise,” said Castro in a press briefing.
Castro also noted that Zimmerman claimed Duterte had stopped taking his maintenance medication and was even being considered for release because of his reportedly good condition.
The official stressed that the former president was being closely monitored and was not being neglected. “Maganda po talaga na natitingnan naman ang kanyang kalusugan doon mismo sa The Hague so hindi naman pababayaan ang dating Pangulo doon,” she said.
Vice President Sara Duterte earlier said she had visited her father and found him in good spirits.
