The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today demanded Malacanang to release the medical bulletin and itinerary of President Rodrigo Duterte who has been missing in action for the past 10 days. Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte will give his address next week after two postponements.

The people have the right to know about the real whereabouts and status of the President. It is unacceptable for the country’s leader to be absent in the midst of a health crisis. It seems like there’s nobody’s home in Malacanang and Filipinos were abandoned by its Chief Executive, according to Rafael Mariano, leader of KMP and chairperson of Anakpawis Partylist.  

The peasant group said the photos released by Duterte’s aide, Senator Bong Go are not enough proof to show that Duterte is physically fit and well to perform his tasks and responsibilities as President. If Duterte is indeed indisposed, he might as well resign and relinquish the presidency to a more competent leader.

KMP said Duterte’s consistent epic failure in the pandemic response is outrageous it has put the country in a miserable state of hopelessness and desperation.

As of April 8, the active COVID-19 infections in the country rose to 167,279 with 9,216 additional cases on Thursday. The latest COVID-19 death toll is at 14,119, or 1.70 percent of the total cases.

With regards to vaccination, a total of 922,898 COVID-19 shots were administered as of April 6. There are only 2.5 million vaccine doses available in the country, mostly from donations. ###