— President Duterte is in good health and high spirits even after a slight delay in his attendance to one of the regional summits here, according to two Cabinet members.
The President was unable to join a family photo with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and dialogue partners China, Japan and Korea Monday morning. Instead, Duterte was represented by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West in the group photo of the ASEAN Plus Three leaders since he was running late.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo assured the public that the President was “okay,” explaining that he merely had to take a restroom break before proceeding to the venue of the APT summit. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III echoed Panelo’s remarks about the reason behind the President’s “slight delay” in the ASEAN Plus Three summit.