Marcos has colon cancer? It's fake news, says Palace

Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed as “fake news” rumors claiming that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has colon cancer.

During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked about a photo posted by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque questioning whether the President had colon cancer, citing a supposed bulge near his stomach.

Castro said such baseless rumors damage the President’s image and could affect the country’s economy.

“Ang masama po sa mga ganitong tsismis at haka-haka, wala naman pong katotohanan, nakakasira sa gobyerno at sa Pangulo at maaari pang makaapekto sa ekonomiya,” Castro said.

(What is wrong with these rumors and speculations is that they have no truth and only damage the government and the President, and may even affect the economy.)

She also criticized Roque, labeling him a “fake news peddler,” and pointed out that his claims were already disproved by a video showing the President at a public event.

“Nakita naman po natin ang video kung saan itinaas pa ng Pangulo ang kanyang mga kamay habang kumakaway sa ating mga kababayan. Kitang-kita po na ang ipinakitang larawan ay walang katotohanan,” she said.

(We saw the video where the President even raised his hands while waving to the public. It is clear that the photo being circulated is not true.)

GMA News Online has sought Roque’s comment on Castro’s remarks.

Malacañang had earlier denied reports that Marcos would undergo surgery for diverticulitis, an inflammation of pouches that can form in the wall of the large intestine.

On January 22, Marcos released a video message assuring the public that he was fine and that his condition was not life-threatening.—MCG, GMA Integrated News