Palace may hold virtual press briefing with Duterte

Malacañang is contemplating a live virtual press briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been largely unseen by the public for months.

This potential briefing comes amidst growing speculation regarding the President's health and his extended stay in Davao City.

If it proceeds, this would mark President Duterte's first live public interaction with individuals outside his Cabinet and select lawmakers in over five months.

The President last directly addressed reporters on March 9, prior to the implementation of pandemic-related lockdowns.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque indicated that the press briefing would likely utilize videoconferencing platforms, similar to his current virtual press conferences.

The Palace has repeatedly refuted rumors about the 75-year-old President's health, including claims that Duterte recently flew to Singapore for emergency treatment.

Roque also clarified that Duterte only repeated what his doctor told him a 'long time ago' when he disclosed to the public in a taped address on Tuesday that his Barrett's esophagus was 'nearing stage one cancer.'