MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte was forced to cut short his attendance of the enthronement of Japan’s emperor “due to unbearable pain in his spinal column,” due to what Malacañang said was “unbearable pain” in his lower back after a motorcycle mishap last week.
According to Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the President was scheduled to return home last night and will meet with a neurologist today for consultation.
“The Chief Executive will thus have to miss the Emperor’s banquet this evening at the Imperial Palace and has requested Mayor Sara Duterte to represent him and attend on his behalf,” said Panelo in a statement Tuesday.
President Duterte left the country on Monday to attend the enthronement of Japanese Emperor Naruhito. He is supposed to return to the country on Wednesday.
“The Palace, however, confirms that the President has attended the enthronement rites earlier today, albeit carrying a cane to assist him in his walk,” added Panelo.
“While this was unforeseeable, the public can rest assured that there is nothing to worry as regards the physical health and condition of the President as he gives serious priority thereto in actively serving our country,” he said.
President Duterte was slightly hurt when he fell off his motorcycle last week as he went for a ride inside the Presidential Security Group compound but it was dismissed as just slight injury./PN
