THE Supreme Court denied with finality a petition filed by lawyer Dino de Leon for full public disclosure of President Rodrigo Duterte’s health records.
In an en banc resolution, the high court stressed that De Leon, in his motion for reconsideration with a prayer for an oral argument, failed to raise new arguments to necessitate the reversal of its ruling.
“The resolution dated May 8, 2020 dismissing the Extremely Urgent Petition for Mandamus is deemed final. No further pleadings or motions shall be entertained in this case,” the SC said.
In a manifestation filed last month, De Leon asked the high court to grant his motion for reconsideration allowing the public disclosure of Duterte’s health records in light of his admission that his Barrett’s esophagus condition was worsening, and his doctor warned that it may progress to stage 1 cancer.
De Leon also asked the high court to schedule his petition for oral arguments, stressing “the health of the President, especially at a time like this, should rightfully be disclosed to the public.”
Duterte recently admitted during one of his pre-recorded addresses to the nation, that his Barrett’s esophagus condition was worsening.
“You, Duterte, refrain from drinking alcohol because your [Barrett’s esophagus] is nearing stage one cancer,” Duterte recalled his doctor telling him.
In his motion for reconsideration, De Leon pointed out that it was the duty of the President to disclose his true state of health as it involved “no less than the public’s right to know if the President is still physically well and in possession of sufficient mental faculties” to lead the nation.
“The duty of the President to disclose the status of his health is clearly of transcendental importance to the nation, as it involves no less than the public’s right to know if the President is still physically well and in possession of sufficient mental faculties to perform the arduous task of leading the country at a time of a global crisis. This is especially made crucial by the fact that in the same public Cabinet meetings the Honorable Court cited to justify its decision to summarily dismiss the Petition, the President has repeatedly made incorrigible rumblings and, in numerous occasions, appeared unwell,” De Leon’s motion read in part.
De Leon, in his petition, mentioned some concerns that prompted him to seek the disclosure of the President’s health condition such as being absent in important events and failure to respond to questions “intelligibly” during press conferences.
He added that the President himself has publicly disclosed that he is suffering from Buerger’s Disease, Barret’s Esophagus, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Spinal Issues, daily migraines, and Mayastenia gravis.
