President Rodrigo Duterte is fine after falling off his motorbike last night, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said today, but just how he fell off seems to be a matter of some debate.
The accident, which by all accounts wasn’t serious, occurred inside the Palace compound last night, and was witnessed by members of the Presidential Security Group and Senator Bong Go, Duterte’s former assistant.
Speaking to reporters in his regular press conference at Malacañang Palace, Panelo said: “I would like to assure the nation that the president is safe, in good hands, and in good health.”
“There was an accident. We [can] confirm that last night, he rode his motorcycle,” Panelo said. “After he parked his motorcycle, his shoe got stuck, so he was trying to reach for it. He fell down. He had a slight bruise on the elbow and knee. He’s OK.”
However, Senator Go had a different recollection of what transpired last night. He said Duterte, formerly an avid biker, wanted to test his two bikes of different heights inside the Palace compound, The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports.
“The second one he rode was slightly taller, the height, [so] he had a bit of trouble. He made a turn and as he was coming back, he suddenly fell off. He used his elbow for support,” Go told reporters.
Because of the accident, Duterte was walking with a limp, and Go said he plans to bring him to the doctor for a check-up.
But wait! There’s also a third version in this story. According to Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra, who leads Duterte’s security team, the president didn’t fall off of his bike at all.
“He did not fall off. The tire just got caught in an obstruction as he was exiting the garage. It’s a trike motorcycle so he didn’t fall off. And he was driving slowly as he was exiting the garage,” Niembra said.
Which version do you think is correct? Tell us in the comments below or tweet your thoughts to @CoconutsManila.
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