MANILA • Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted that life was taking its toll on his health, as speculation swirls over the 74-year-old's prolonged absences from the public eye.

Mr Duterte cut short a trip to Japan last month because he was suffering from "unbearable pain" in his spine after a recent motorcycle accident, and has not spoken in public for two weeks.

The accident came just 10 days after he revealed early last month that he has myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness and can result in drooping eyelids and blurred vision.

"If you ask me... 'Are you in the best of health?' Of course not," Mr Duterte told GMA News television in an interview last Friday.

"All of the ailments, I have them because I am already old... Life has begun to take its toll on my health."

The recent incidents have intensified speculation about his capacity to lead, although his spokesman Salvador Panelo has repeatedly said there is no need to issue medical bulletins on the President's health.

Mr Duterte has opted to work from his hometown Davao City over the past week to get some rest, his spokesman said.

He has not given public remarks since he attended a regional summit in Thailand that ended on Nov 4, after he cut short his Japan trip.

Mr Duterte had also previously said he suffers from migraines and Buerger's disease, which is characterised by inflammation of blood vessels, usually due to smoking.

The Philippine Constitution requires the handover of power to the vice-president if the leader cannot perform his duties due to disability, resignation or death.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS