Duterte admits consulting dermatologist

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday admitted consulting with a dermatologist in an attempt to dispel notions that the discoloration on his face is a sign of a serious illness. 

Duterte claimed his complexion has darkened because of his weekly visits to camps. He said his visit to Jordan last month also contributed to the discoloration of his face. 

“Ako kita mo nangitim... Nasunog, pumunta ako ng Jordan, sunog na ito, pumunta ako ng kampo every week, pumunta ka ng kampo sa bukid, pinakamalayong kampo lumilipad ako dun (My complexion darkened. It got sunburned. I went to Jordan and it was already like this. I would go to camps every week, even the farthest ones),” the President said during a business conference in Manila. 

Duterte said unlike his partner Honeylet Avanceña, he hates using whitening cream.

“My wife uses cream… it was the first time I saw medicine that is like a rocket, like a booster,” the President said, describing how the face must first be washed before application of cream, which can be irritating.

“Pagtingin ko, p****** ina bakit nangitim ako lalo (When I looked, son of a b**** I got darker.”)

It was the first time Duterte blamed whitening creams for his skin discoloration.

Duterte went on to talk about his use of a whitening cream, which he claimed did not work. 

Duterte said things improved when he consulted a female dermatologist.