MANILA - Nearly half of Filipinos believe that President Rodrigo Duterte is facing health problems, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Sunday.

Of 1,500 adults polled late last month, 45 percent of adult Filipinos believe that the President has health problems while 26 percent do not. Twenty-nine percent were undecided about the matter, said SWS.

The same survey revealed 55 percent of the respondents were worried that the 73-year-old Duterte will have health problems, while 44 percent said otherwise.

'DUTERTE'S HEALTH A PUBLIC MATTER'

The poll also found 61 percent saying that the public should be informed of everything about Duterte's state of health. Only 33 percent said the issue is a private matter and that full public disclosure is not necessary.

The President earlier admitted that he suffers from back pains, migraines and Buerger's disease, a cause of blockages in the blood vessels, associated with smoking during his youth.

Last week, Duterte said he recently underwent endoscopy and colonoscopy because he suffers from Barret’s esophagus, a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

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His aides, however, maintain that he is in good health.

Malacañang in August also assured the public that Duterte will follow the Constitution and disclose the status of his health if he is afflicted with a serious illness.

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There have been persistent rumors about the health of Duterte, the oldest in history elected to the post.

One of his political enemies, communist leader Jose Maria Sison, earlier pointed out that the supposed darkening on the President’s face was a sign of a serious kidney ailment. The President denied Sison’s allegations.

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The SWS survey on Duterte's health was conducted between September 15 and 23. It has a ±3 percent margin of error for national figures