Carlos Miguel San Jose

G10 - Zircon

Duterte's health a matter of 'national

security,' says opposition

MANILA, Philippines Members of the opposition said on Thursday

that the health of President Rodrigo Duterte is a national security
issue especially because of the myriad problems facing the country as
they called on the government to be transparent about the chief
executives state of well-being.
In a social media post, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said that
although the septuagenarian Duterte needs some respite, his one-week
absence is unusual for a president.
The health of the president is a national security issue especially now
that we have a security crisis in Marawi and martial law in Mindanao,
Alejano said.
Though he deserves a much-needed rest just like all of us, one week
absence to rest is rather unusual for a president, the Magdalo
representative added.
Duterte cut his state visit to Russia short to return to the country
because of the Marawi crisis. He has been visiting military camps and
giving speeches to troops since then. He has also been visiting wounded
soldiers and Marines and has attended the wakes of those killed in
action.
The media has reported on the absences of past presidents as well as
on speculations on their health.
Palace: Duterte is well
In a press briefing at Malacaang on Thursday morning, Ernesto Abella,
presidential spokesperson, doused speculations about the health of the
president, stressing that the chief executive is well.
Abella said that Duterte was just resting although he declined to give
details on a definite day when the president would be seen in public
again.
The president needs [rest]. You have to consider that he has been on
the road for at least 23 days regarding fulfilling his martial law
supervisions. It has been really brutal, so we have to allow him this kind
of rest, he said.
Sen. Leila De Lima, in another of her dispatches from detention at Camp
Crame, and Alejano said that it is the obligation of the government to
be transparent about Dutertes state of health.
De Lima, detained for charges that she financially benefitted from the
trade of illegal drugs at the national penitentiary, said that the public
deserves to be fully informed as Dutertes health was both a matter of
public interest and national security.

The public needs to be fully informed. Knowing the truth about the
Presidents state of health is both a matter of public interest and
national security, De Lima said, stressing informing the public was the
governments moral obligation.
She added: Of course, Malacaang is well within the constitutional
bounds when it refuses to fully inform the public about the presidents
vacation, but it is also its moral obligation to go beyond what the
Constitution requires. This is called transparency and accountability,
two words that are already lost to this administration and its senior
cabinet officials.
Until the administration became transparent about the presidents
situation rumors about his condition would continue to spread,
something not needed at this time as security forces continue to battle
Islamist militants in Marawi City, according to De Lima.
Amidst their continued and constant service, where is the president?
Where is our commander-in-Chief? she asked.
Both De Lima and Alejano cited Section 12, Article VII of the 1987
Constitution in emphasizing the obligation of government officials to
apprise the public about the presidents state of health.
Most dangerous countries for tourists:
Philippines ranks 11th

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is the 11th most

dangerous country for tourists, according to the 2017 Travel
and Tourism Competitiveness Report of the World Economic
Forum.
The report was prepared before a disgruntled gambling addict
stormed Resorts World Manila in Pasay City, killing 37 people
before taking his own life.
Based on the report, the Philippines was in 126th spot among
136 countries when it comes to ensuring the safety of tourists.
Security concerns remain high and diminished protection of
property rights, less effective judicial system and stricter rules
on (foreign direct investments) have reduced the
conduciveness of the business environment, the report said.
The 10 most dangerous countries in the world are Colombia,
Yemen, El Salvador, Pakistan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Egypt, Kenya,
Honduras and Ukraine.
They were followed by the Philippines, Lebanon, Mali,
Bangladesh, Chad, Guatemala, South Africa, Jamaica, Thailand
and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 2015, the Philippines ranked lower at 128th behind Jamaica,
Russian Federation, Myanmar and Mexico.

Overall, the country ranked 79th based on all indicators of the

report, down five notches from the last assessment.
The travel and tourism sector continues to develop on the
back of the countrys rich natural resources (37th) and high
price competitiveness (22nd), and arrivals have continued to
grow so far, the report said.
Although the Philippines travel and tourism potential remains
high, there are several areas where policy interventions could
help to regain competitiveness, it added.
Last year, there was also a reported resurgence of kidnap-for-
ransom incidents in the country.