Duterte falls off bike, hurts hip

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte hurt his hip when he fell off his motorcycle on Wednesday night, according to Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

The senator said the accident occurred at the Presidential Security Guard compound in Malacañang. He added that the President woke up on Thursday with a painful hip.

“I will insist he sees a doctor. The doctor may recommend an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging),” Go told Senate reporters.

“The President is a rider. Sanay na ‘yan. Natukod ng siko niya (He’s used to riding bikes. He was able to break his fall by using his elbow). At his age, he needs alalay (help). Umiiral ang hilig niya sa motorcycle (He really loves motorcycles). He said he could not help but ride a motorcycle,” he added.

Go said the 72-year-old President first rode a 500-cc motorcycle then switched to a bigger 650-cc motorcycle.

He added that the accident happened when the President was parking the bike.

Malacañang said the President is “fine.”

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President only had “minor” scratches when he “fell off” his motorcycle.

“The Palace assures the public that there is nothing to worry about regarding the President’s condition,” Panelo added.

“President Rodrigo Duterte is now resting in his official residence. Again, we assure our people that the President is fine, and his recovery entails no major medical procedure,” he added.

With a reports from JAVIER JOE ISMAEL