Presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte appears in public, eats durian near the Magsaysay Park. @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/KPcojEcC55

— Dharel Placido (@dgplacido) May 21, 2016

Duterte to adjust his working hours as president, says trusted aide

DAVAO CITY - Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he caught up on lost sleep after the gruelling 3-month campaign period which led to his landslide victory.

Duterte, known for his habit of going around Davao City at night in his taxi and holding press conferences in the wee hours, said he was not seen in public for days after winning the elections because he had to sleep.

"Iyung 5 days na 'di ako nagpakita, nasa bahay ako, natutulog. Tulog, kain, tulog, kain lang ako," he told reporters.

"Binawi ko yung tulog. Utang yan eh. Kapag nag-ano ka ngayon, puyat ka ngayon, babawiin talaga ng katawan iyan. Kesa ayaw mo at sa hindi eh you tend to oversleep the following day. Kapag sumunod-sunod babagsak ka, babawiin ng body yan eh."

Duterte also disclosed that he had to take some rest so he could recover from an infection.

"All this time I was carrying virus. I had no time to rest and give my immune system some rest," he said.

Speaking to ABS-CBN News over the weekend, Duterte's trusted aide Christopher "Bong" Go said it has been the habit of Duterte to stay up late to roam around Davao City.

"Before, as mayor, he was overseeing peace and order. Diyan niya nakikita ang nangyayari. Hindi alam ng mga tao na may tumitingin na pala sa paligid nila," he said.

Go, however, said Duterte may have to tweak his habit once he becomes president.

"Of course, maiiba na yun for security reasons. Pero since isa sa mga priority niya ay ang peace and order, gagawa rin iyan ng paraan para makita niya [ang sitwasyon]," he said.

"He told me he will adjust... He has to start early and finish work until matapos lahat. Kapag presidente na siya, once he assumes office, 'di na siguro [pwede ang magpuyat]. Working hours na iyan but pwede yang mag-extend hanggang gabi kung kakailanganin. Hindi uuwi yan hangga't hindi matapos."

READ: Duterte as 'nocturnal' president?

In an earlier interview, Duterte said he had to adjust his sleeping schedule because a disorganized Davao City needed him patrolling at nights.

"I used to patrol at nights, check on the police kung 'di natutulog sa istasyon—kasi ang ginawa ng mga buang, yung mga lamesa, dikit-dikit nila, tapos magdala ng unan, maglatag ng newspaper, matulog," he said.

The policemen, he added, were also afraid to go out because of the assassins from the communist groups.

"We used to lose something like three, four policemen and soldiers a day. Kaya I had to [patrol at night]; kasi kung hindi, patayin talaga ng mga g**o [stupid] eh. So I had to be there to let them know of my presence," he said.