Palace press corps denounces false Marcos health cover up claims

The Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) on Sunday denounced allegations that its members are being paid to conceal the true health condition of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and urged the public to practice discernment.

In a statement, the MPC said videos posted on official social media sites clearly show its members questioning government officials about the President's condition.

“Naninindigan ang MPC sa katotohanan ng mga ulat na inilabas ng aming mga kasapi nitong nakaraang linggo. Kinokondena rin namin ang garapal na mga pagtatangkang sirain ang kredibilidad ng mga mamamahayag at iligaw ang ating mga kababayan para isulong ang interes ng ilan,” MPC said.

(The MPC stands firm that our reporters released truthful reports in the past week. We also condemn blatant attempts to undermine the credibility of journalists and mislead the public to advance the interests of a few.)

MPC added the reports released by its members also underwent a verification process before being published, unlike those released by content creators who use their imaginations.

“Ang mga balitang inilabas namin ay may malinaw na basehan — mga report na nakalap sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanong sa mga taong may kinalaman sa isyu, o di kaya’y amin mismong nasaksihan. Amin ding bineberipika ang anumang impormasyon na aming nakakalap para masigurong ito ay tama at totoo bago namin ibahagi sa publiko,” MPC said.

(The reports that we released have a clear basis — reports gathered through interviews with individuals involved in the issue or through our own firsthand observation. We also verify any information we obtain to ensure it is accurate and true before sharing it with the public.)

“Hindi ito ginagawa ng mga content creator na ang tanging puhunan ay ang kanilang social media account, malikot na imahinasyon at kwestyonableng agenda,” it added.

(This is not what content creators do, whose only capital is their social media account, vivid imagination, and questionable agenda.)

The statement comes amid online rumors about the President’s health, which Malacañang has dismissed as false.

''Tayo naman po ay may mainstream media. Siguro mas mangingibabaw dapat ang mainstream media kaysa sa mga socmed na walang basehan – so, huwag po tayo masyadong maniwala. Ang dami-dami pong fake news, pati po ako ay binibiktima ng fake news,'' Castro said when asked about the President’s health.

(We are in the mainstream media. Mainstream media must come first before any information from social media that has no basis. So let's not believe this fake news. Even I was victimized by fake news.)

Marcos had assured the public that he is in good health and urged them not to believe posts on social media.

''Eh ganoon pa rin, I'm struggling kasi ayoko na tumaba ulit, nawala na 'yung taba ko baka babalik. That's what I'm taking care of,'' Marcos said.

(I don't want to gain weight. That's what I'm taking care of.)

''I want to... nagpapasalamat naman po ako sa mga nag-aalala sa akin, huwag niyo pong masyadong sineseryoso, ano ba naman ang social media, palabiro 'yan eh. Wala po tayong problema,'' he added.

(I want to... I'm thankful to those who are concerned with me, don't take seriously the information you see on social media, it's full of jokes. I have no problem.)

MPC urged the public to be cautious when consuming information online, as many accounts have been spreading misinformation and disinformation.

“Nakalulungkot isiping may mga naniniwala pa rin sa mga manlokokong lumalason sa isip ng ating mga kababayan, na aming pinagsisilbihan sa abot ng aming makakaya,” MPC said, as it stands firm with its commitment to be critical with its questions and reporting.

(It is sad to think that some still believe in deceivers who poison the minds of our fellow citizens, whom we serve to the best of our ability.)

“Hinihimok namin ang lahat na maging mapanuri sa gitna ng batuhan ng mga alegasyon sa social media at kilatisin ang mga pinanggagalingan ng impormasyon,” it added.

(We urge everyone to be discerning amid the exchange of allegations on social media and to carefully scrutinize the sources of information.) —RF, GMA News