Malacañang dismisses 'fake' medical document on Marcos’ health

Malacañang clarified Wednesday that a medical document on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s health that is circulating online is fake. 

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) condemned the circulation of the “fabricated and malicious” claims about the Chief Executive’s health. 

“The document being circulated is FAKE. It did not originate from any legitimate medical examination of the President and does not reflect his current health condition. The President is well, fully capable of discharging his official responsibilities, and continues to actively perform his duties,” the PCO said in a statement. 

“The deliberate spread of falsified medical information is irresponsible, deceptive, and a clear violation of the President’s right to privacy. It unnecessarily alarms the public and undermines trust in institutions,” it added. 

It also called on the public to “refrain from amplifying unverified and malicious content.” 

“Appropriate legal options are being reviewed in connection with the circulation of fabricated documents and false information,” the PCO said. 

Meanwhile, St. Luke’s Medical Center also said that the circulating medical document is fake and falsified. 

“St. Luke’s Medical Center strictly upholds patients' confidentiality and data privacy. Medical results are released only to the patient himself/herself through authorized and official hospital channels,” it said in a statement. 

“....The posting or sharing of a patient’s medical information by anyone other than the patient constitutes a breach of data privacy and is a violation of hospital policy and applicable laws.”

The Chief Executive was placed under medical observation at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City due to diverticulitis, or the inflammation of irregular bulging pouches in the wall of the large intestine.

But Malacañang earlier denied the reports that Marcos would undergo surgery for his diagnosis. 

"Wala pong ganoong balita na maibibigay po tayo dahil ngayon po, ang Pangulo ay nasa meeting. So, iyan po ay fake news," said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro. 

(We have no such report because the President is in a meeting. That is fake news.)

Further, the Malacañang noted that there is no need to issue a medical bulletin on Marcos’ health as his condition is improving. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News