News about former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte being taken to the hospital for a check up after slipping inside his house spread all over social media.
His dwindling number of followers were besides themselves, airing their concern and sympathy all over social media with prayers and wishes for the former president’s recovery.
We can imagine detractors taking to ridiculing and heaping curses on the former chief executive, perhaps some even saying that an unexpected death would be too kind for him.
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But for certain, others aired suspicions that this was merely an act to lay the predicate for him claiming to have some manner of health condition that would somehow exempt him from an impending trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.
Among the comments on a Facebook post by ABS CBN News page say:
“susunod niyan wheelchair at neck brace” and “ICC is coming, wheelchair is needed”
Both comments referencing former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s supposed neck injury that was a basis for seeking “medical attention” in the US and later the basis for being allowed house arrest at the Veteran Memorial Medical Center after being charged for plunder which the Supreme Court acquitted her of a few days after Duterte assumed presidency in 2016.
Still others recalled Duterte’s admission of abusing his prescription of fentanyl, a drug he claims to have used to manage pain following a motorcycle accident. The implication could have been that he had somehow managed to get doses of the drug and fell over from being high on the controlled substance.
It could also be speculated that, given his advanced age as well as slurred speech, sudden violent outbursts, disjuncted often rambling remarks, failure to recall words as well as names of people and unsteady gait; the former president could be suffering from advancing dementia.
A website of the National Institute for Aging describes dementia as, “…the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living, such as feeding oneself.”
We aren’t certain if former president duterte is already wearing diapers or really still recognizes his daughter, Vice President Inday Sara Duterte, but certainly a condition such as this might support motions to put him under hospital arrest while undergoing trial at the ICC.
It is unclear to us, however, if dementia could be considered as a basis for an insanity plea in a trial where the former president is accused of murdering or having order the murder of thousands of Filipinos from the time that he was still Mayor of Davao City to the time that he became the President.
All things considered. President Bongbong Marcos should consider offering former president Duterte the best of care at Elsie Gaches Village or Golden Acres or some other similar institution.
Peace be upon you!
Hello everyone, my name is Oman and I am a Middle Eastern man who has been fortunate enough to receive my education in the United Kingdom.
I am excited to share my political insights on the Philippines, a country that has been my home for the past thirty years.
Having grown up in the Middle East, I was initially drawn to the Philippines for its vibrant culture, warm hospitality, and breathtaking landscapes. Over the years, I have developed a deep appreciation for this beautiful nation and its people, which has fueled my desire to understand and contribute to its political landscape.
Living here for three decades has allowed me to witness firsthand the country’s political evolution, from the turbulent times to the remarkable progress it has achieved. I have closely observed the challenges, triumphs, and the resilience of the Filipino people, which have shaped my unique perspective on its political affairs.
Through this blog, I hope to provide a fresh perspective on Philippine politics, drawing upon my Middle Eastern background and British education. I believe that my experiences and insights can contribute to meaningful discussions and shed light on the intricacies of the country’s political landscape.