Demapan told reporters that the governor has been back to work since he returned from UCLA Medical Center in California earlier this month, “but there are some limitations in terms of his public appearances because there are certain times he does his physical therapy.”
Aside from continuous medication to ease Fitial’s spine problem, the governor’s physician advised him to undergo a 90-day physical therapy. Therapy sessions are usually done early in the morning prior to office hours so the governor continues to perform his duty at his temporary office on the ground floor of the administration building on Capital Hill.
Fitial, according to Demapan, reviews policies and legislation, and meets with cabinet members and other executive branch official.
Demapan said the governor is fit to govern. He just cannot walk long distances and stand too long.
Asked if Fitial is mentally capable of performing his duties despite taking medications, Demapan said, “Absolutely.”
The medicines the governor is taking do not affect one’s mental abilities, he added.
Signing proclamations and delivering remarks at events like the two-day economic restoration summit, for now, are taken care of Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos who has also been meeting regularly with department heads on their budget submissions.
“But the governor is also involved in budget deliberations as well,” Demapan said. “In the end, it will be the governor’s budget submission.”
Fitial still has more than two months to continue his physical therapy but there’s no way to tell how long his public appearances will remain limited.
Still, the governor’s condition is progressing, Demapan said.
“So we’re hoping that after 90 days, things will be better for him,” he added.
After these therapy sessions, the governor’s spine will be assessed again.
The governor had a spine surgery in Dec. 2006.
