Palace slams fake news on Marcos health

Malacañang has called on fake news peddlers to stop circulating false information about President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s health.

During a press briefing on Friday, Palace Spokesperson Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro firmly reiterated that the President was in good health, dismissing recent rumors spreading across social media.

“Kung makikita ninyo po, iyan naman po ay talagang pinapakalat – siguro para palabasin na ang Pangulo ay hindi maganda ang kalusugan, not in good health," said Castro.

(If you observe, this disinformation is clearly being spread to suggest that the President is unwell.)

"Halos araw-araw naman po ay nakikita ninyo ang Pangulo sa kaniyang mga activities at sa kaniyang pagsama dito sa Alyansa. Maliban diyan ay mayroon pa rin po siyang mga meeting kasama po kami, at sa aking perspektibo dahil nakakasama tayo mismo ng Pangulo, maganda po ang kalusugan ng ating Pangulo.”

(But you see him almost every day—attending events, participating in Alyansa activities, and holding meetings with us. From my perspective, as someone who regularly interacts with him, the President is healthy.)

Castro stressed that Marcos would not be able to perform his daily duties if he were truly unwell.

She appealed to those spreading misinformation to stop creating false narratives about the President’s condition.

“Huwag ninyo pong gawan ng kuwento ang Pangulo patungkol sa kaniyang kalusugan. Hindi po iyan maganda para sa ating bansa. Dapat po ipagdasal pa po natin na maging maganda ang kalusugan ng mga namumuno sa atin,” Castro said.

(Please do not make up stories about the President’s health. That does not help our country. We should instead pray for the good health of our leaders.)

She also cautioned against unfounded speculation, especially from those who are not qualified to make medical assessments.

“Iwasan po nila na magbigay ng speculation. Kahit hindi po doktor ay nagpapakadoktor sa social media,” she added.

(They should avoid making baseless claims. People on social media are acting like doctors even though they’re not.) 

Castro previously assured the public of Marcos’ good health following the circulation of a video online that allegedly showed the President with bleeding gums.

“Nothing to worry po... Kaka-meeting lang po namin kaninang umaga… Wala naman po akong nakikitang hindi maayos ang kalusugan niya,” she said.

(There’s nothing to worry about. We had a meeting with him just this morning, and I saw no signs indicating any health issues.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News