'Unbearable pain' cuts short Philippine leader's Japan trip

MANILA, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo
Duterte was forced to cut short his attendance of the
enthronement of Japan's emperor on Tuesday, due to what his
office said was "unbearable pain" in his lower back after a
motorcycle mishap last week.
The health of Duterte, 74, and his absences from the public
spotlight are often the subject of fervent speculation, and the
source of complaints from critics that his administration is not
forthcoming about the extent of his ailments. Duterte had a minor fall from a motorcycle in the grounds of
his palace last week, causing hip pain, light bruises and
scratches on his elbow and knee. He used a walking cane in Tokyo on Tuesday during a ceremony
for Japanese Emperor Naruhito's ascendancy to the throne, but
would skip a banquet to return home and see his neurologist,
said presidential spokesman, Salvador Panelo. "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," Panelo said in a statement.
It was the third time this month that the government has
tried to allay concerns about Duterte's health after the
maverick former mayor told the Filipino community in Moscow that
the frequent drooping of one eyelid was due to a chronic
neuromuscular disorder. Duterte's known problems include back pain, migraines from
nerve damage after a previous motorcycle accident and Barrett's
oesophagus, affecting his throat.
His circulation is impacted by Buerger's disease, from heavy
smoking when he was younger. He last year said he had tested
negative for cancer.
When missing for longer stretches and amid rumours about
deteriorating health, the president's closest aide has posted on
social media what appear to be proof-of-life images of Duterte
relaxing at home, often with the day's newspaper in shot.
His administration attributes his disappearances to fatigue
from a punishing daily schedule that typically involves several
public events and two or three speeches.
His health is also watched closely because of the political
uncertainty that would surround his succession should he be
unable to continue.
Duterte's constitutional replacement would be Vice President
Leni Robredo, a political opponent who was elected separately
and was not his running mate.