MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has admitted wanting to have some rest from his demanding job but the “volatile” situation in the country is preventing him from doing so.
“I want that, but the problem is I have work to do. No other person can sign (the documents)... unless you go into an official leave of absence,” Duterte said at a press conference late Tuesday.
Duterte was asked about his condition and whether he was advised by doctors to take a rest.
“I cannot take a rest. I just go home, sleep for two days to make up (for) the shortfall. But after that I sleep from night to morning, until 6 a.m. Then I wake up with a more sturdy feeling of my body,” he said.
The 74-year-old Duterte slowed down a bit after a hectic schedule at the 35th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Thailand this month, working from his home in Davao City and shunning meetings.
Last week, Duterte visited the wake of slain soldiers and talked to wounded military personnel in Catbalogan City.
He also had a series of private meetings in Malacañang this week and faced reporters at a press conference Tuesday night.
Duterte reiterated he has illnesses that usually affect people his age.
“I am 74 years old. As a matter of fact, I’m happy that after this, I only count the days, the Christmas – two Christmases – and then I retire. Do not ask me if I am sick. All people who are 74 years old in the Philippines – except for a few – all of them have illnesses. Just choose – cancer, hypertension, diabetes, kidney, lung cancer, cancer of the colon, most of them,” he said.
“I have all that illnesses. I am old. But I can still talk. But when I’m no longer coherent, if I cannot articulate now the things that I want to relay to you, then it’s about time that you call the attention of my family... and (say) that your father is no longer capable of being president of this republic. Why? Because he’s not good anymore.”
Duterte said he is ready to heed the advice of his family regarding his health.
“If my family would say, ‘You retire. Do not wait for the expiration.’ I will say, ‘If I cannot talk to you anymore, if I cannot be of help to you, then it’s about time to say goodbye.’ Until then, and it will come, we just wait,” Duterte said.