First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos could not help but become emotional after seeing patients sleeping on folding beds in the hallways of Bago City Hospital during a recent visit.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the First Lady said she “had to hold back my tears” when she saw the situation of patients in the corridors of the city-run facility.

She said the conditions underscored the urgent need for additional resources, especially for overstretched medical staff who “pour their hearts into serving every single day.”

With this, the First Lady expressed gratitude that the hospital has now received new beds, operating tables, ECG machines, suction equipment, centrifuges, bio refrigerators, and portable ultrasound machines.

“These upgrades mean faster, safer care for our patients — and much-needed support for our medical staff — who pour their hearts into serving every single day,” she said.

Marcos also thanked Huawei Philippines and TC Investments for donating the equipment, saying their support would “change many lives.”

In a separate post, the First Lady said she would rather teach her law students how the law “truly works” instead of theatrics.

“While some may choose theatrics, I’d rather focus on teaching future lawyers how the law truly works — where truth is the standard and proof is the language we live by,” she said.

“I’m incredibly proud of my students. Despite the storms, earthquakes, and bogus bomb threats that plagued Iloilo City this semester, when they showed up for class, they were prepared, curious, and ready to dissect the latest jurisprudence, she added.

Palace ally and civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia backed Marcos, saying the fresh allegations made by former congressman Zaldy Co against the First Lady follow a pattern of “allegations without evidence.”

According to Goitia, Co’s shifting narratives “do not build credibility,” pointing out that the statements contradict each other and are not supported by any official record.

He said the public deserves facts, not speculation, and called on Co to face lawful institutions if he intends to present evidence.

“Accusations without proof are distractions, and distractions become dangerous when the public is fed with misinformation,” Goitia said, reiterating that real testimony should be given under oath, not through videos recorded abroad.

He added that the allegations involving the First Family follow the same pattern as Co’s previous statements—serious claims without supporting documentation.

Co claimed that the First Lady tried to stop the House inquiry into soaring onion prices in 2022, on behalf of her brother Martin, who Co accused of “controlling” onion importation.