Duterte absent from ASEAN meetings

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend any ASEAN meetings in Laos on Thursday because of a migraine.

File image of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Source: AAP

A migraine has prevented Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte from attending any of the day's ASEAN meetings, official sources reported.

The president sent his Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay to lead the Filipino delegation in ASEAN's meetings with India and the United States, and in the East Asia Summit.

Prior to the East Asia Summit - bringing together leaders from Japan, South Korea, China, Russia, India, Australia and New Zealand - Filipino Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar attributed Duterte's absence to a headache.

The Filipino media had earlier speculated that the president's absence was because his daughter, who was pregnant with triplets, had to undergo an unwanted abortion.

Andanar did not confirm or deny the rumour and declined to comment saying it was a family matter of the president.

Duterte is expected to participate in the summit's closing ceremony, during which Laos will pass on the rotational presidency to the Philippines, which will be in charge during the completion of ASEAN's 50th anniversary in 2017.