MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was forced to cut short his attendance of the enthronement of Japan’s emperor on Tuesday, due to what his office said was “unbearable pain” in his lower back after a motorcycle mishap last week. Duterte had a minor fall from a motorcycle in the grounds of his palace last week, causing hip pain, light bruises and scratches on his elbow and knee. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) and his daughter Sara Duterte arrive at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, 22 October 2019. Duterte’s known problems include back pain, migraines from nerve damage after a previous motorcycle accident and Barrett’s oesophagus, affecting his throat. Duterte’s constitutional replacement would be Vice President Leni Robredo, a political opponent who was elected separately and was not his running mate.

Source: New Strait Times October 22, 2019 09:11 UTC