After falling ill, Duterte back on campaign trail

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – After falling ill, presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte bounced back Saturday, February 11, showing up fresh and energetic in several events in the Davao area.

“I’m fine. I’m ready for all my schedules. Tell my supporters not to worry about me,” Duterte told Rappler.

On Thursday, February 11, Duterte was a no-show at a medical association’s forum after suffering a migraine, forcing him to stay overnight at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan.

Many of his supporters wondered how their bet would fare, but on Saturday, he showed up, officiating a “Kasalang Bayan” of 99 couples at the Barangay Tigatto gym in Tagum City.

He arrived in Tagum City from Davao City via a four-seater chopper, to attend the proclamation rally of local candidates of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

At the rally, his supporters cheered and chanted as he entered the Tagum City arena.

His running mate, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, also received a warm welcome. Cayetano promised to help the Duterte administration realize a graft-free nation with people enjoying health care and other basic government services.

Mindanaoans, according to Cayetano, will enjoy decentralized operations and services from various national agencies.

“From autonomy, we will give real power, real money, more resources,” he added.

Duterte was at the rally until around 6:30 pm, then flew back to Davao where he held 3 meetings. He later had an interview with an international television network, which lasted until dawn.

“The time has come that a Mindanaoan will sit in Malacañang. The son of Mindanao has risen,” Duterte’s ally Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said. – With reports from Editha Z. Caduaya / Rappler.com