Supreme Court orders Marcos to comment on medical report petition

The Supreme Court has directed President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to submit his comment within 10 days regarding a petition that seeks the disclosure of his medical examination report.

In a press briefer, the SC said Wednesday it had acted on the petition of Pantaleon Alvarez, Virgilio Garcia, Juan Raña, and Raymundo Junia against the President and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto as respondents. 

Alvarez's camp had filed a petition for a writ of mandamus directing Marcos to submit himself to physical and mental examination, including a hair follicle drug test. 

The petition also sought to direct the President to disclose and publish the medical report indicating the results of the examination, including medical and clinical confirmation of his physical and medical fitness to discharge the powers and duties as president.

"The SC, without necessarily giving due course to the petition, directed respondents to comment within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of notice," the SC said. 

GMA News Online sought comment from the Presidential Communications Office and the Office of Executive Secretary but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

The President maintained that he is in good health despite rumors that he is severely sick.

As he faced members of the media on April 13, Marcos even did a few jumping jacks to show that he was fine, adding that the rumors about his health were pure shenanigans. 

PCO Acting Secretary Dave Gomez said the surge of disinformation on social media, particularly about the health of the President was meant to destabilize the government. — VDV, GMA News