Lorenzana in stable condition after fainting during Independence Day rite —DND

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is "in stable condition" after he fainted during the Independence Day rite at Rizal Park in Manila on Sunday morning, the Department of National Defense said.

"Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana is currently in stable condition and has been advised to rest after fainting during the Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Rizal Park this morning, June 12," DND spokesperson Director Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

Andolong said Lorenzana had a "hectic schedule" in the past few weeks, which, coupled with the hot weather on Sunday, resulted in fatigue.

"His hectic schedule during the last few weeks and the extreme temperatures in Luneta earlier today may have resulted in his fatigue," he said.

"The SND just arrived from Singapore early this morning after attending the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue and meeting with his foreign counterparts," the statement read.

"The Secretary also traveled recently to South Korea and other parts of the Philippines, while overseeing the defense operations of the country and transition to a new administration," Andolong added.

Lorenzana was standing before the Rizal Monument at past 9 a.m. Sunday together with Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, and incumbent Manila Vice Mayor and incoming Mayor Honey Lacuna when he fainted.

Go told reporters Lorenzana was brought to the hospital via ambulance, according to a report by Vonne Aquino on Super Radyo dzBB.

He also said the secretary was able to talk to them shortly after fainting and said he got dizzy.

Go then asked for prayers for Lorenzana's health.

Lorenzana later confirmed on Facebook that he had fatigue due to his busy schedule.

"Hello, everyone! The fatigue from my recent successive international security engagements may have taken its toll on me. Tapos napakainit pa sa Luneta kanina (Then it was so hot at Luneta this morning). But as the saying goes, a true soldier always gets up quickly after a fall," he wrote.

"I’m fine now. Just resting since the results of the tests conducted earlier are okay," the secretary added.

"I’m deeply moved by your concern and well wishes. Thank you and God bless us all," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who graced the Rizal Park event on Sunday, had a video call with Lorenzana to check on him, Go told reporters.

"Sa isang video call, kinamusta namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte si Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana na kasalukuyan ay nasa ospital matapos ang nangyari kaninang umaga sa Luneta. Nasa maayos na kalagayan naman po si Sec. Lorenzana. Get well soon!" he said. —KG, GMA News