MANILA -- (UPDATED) President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday dismissed rumors about his passing, which circulated online following his absence from an event in Leyte last Friday.

In a series of videos posted on Facebook by his partner Honeylet Avanceña, Duterte was seen making fun of the online rumors, and at one point even asked people to pray for his soul.

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"For those who believe in the news that I passed away, then I request of you, please pray for me, for the eternal repose of my soul. Thank you," Duterte said, who appears to be in his Davao home.

In another video, the President sought people's prayers and promised to bring them himself either in heaven or in hell.

"Ano mga mensahe ninyo? Dadalhin ko. Pari, obispo, lahat. And 'yung last wish ng mga durugista, ilista ninyo. Ako na ang magdala doon sa langit o sa impyerno. Depende lang."

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said those peddling rumors about the President's health are only doing so to dissuade those who support Duterte.

"Obviously the intention is to bring anxiety and apprehension to the majority of the Filipinos who believe and admire his unorthodox but effective type of governance," he said in a statement.

Panelo also said Duterte is merely resting in his Davao home to prepare for his grueling schedule next week.

"The President is conscientious of his health and he puts a break to his activities if he feels his body is not up to it. In other words, he knows how to take care of himself and does not perform any activity beyond what is necessary or is harmful to his physical being," he added.

Duterte was supposed to attend the Barangay Summit on Peace and Order in Palo, Leyte at 4 p.m. last Friday.

Longtime aide Bong Go did not provide other details about the state of the 73-year-old chief executive's health, who has long been rumored to be nursing a serious illness.

The President was last seen in public last Tuesday when he attended the premiere night of the biopic of former police chief Ronald dela Rosa.

This was not the first time that Duterte skipped an event because he was not feeling well.

Malacañang has repeatedly said Duterte's health is not a cause for concern.