MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday that medical tests show he doesn't have cancer, but he added that he won't release a detailed report on his health.
"I'm not yet cancerous, so do not be afraid to go near me. I will not contaminate you," the 73-year-old leader told a journalist in jest during a news conference. When asked whether tissue samples tested negative for cancer, the president nodded.
Eduardo Ano, the Interior Department's officer in charge, earlier told reporters that Duterte announced his test results in a Cabinet meeting Monday night, eliciting applause from top officials.
Duterte in a speech last week raised the possibility of cancer and said he was awaiting test results, adding to growing uncertainty about his health.
Duterte failed to hold a scheduled Cabinet meeting and skipped another ceremony on Oct. 3, leading to speculation that he had been hospitalized. His spokesman, Harry Roque, denied that.
Rumors have swirled since last year that Duterte might have a serious illness. Duterte and his aides have given assurances that he's generally fit. He has, however, said in recent months that he had grown tired of politics, including deeply entrenched government corruption and the country's drug problem.
Duterte took office in June 2016 for a six-year term. He is known for his deadly crackdown on illegal drugs, which has drawn international condemnation.
A Section on 10/10/2018