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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: Don't believe unverified claims on Marcos' health condition

Palace: Don't believe unverified claims on Marcos' health condition

Published Jan 28, 2026 02:41 pm
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Malacañang has cautioned the public over unverified claims about President Marcos' health, reiterating that the President's condition is not life threatening.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the circulating messages sent via Viber and email to some reporters on Tuesday, Jan. 27, came from an unknown number, therefore its source was also unverified.
"Kung unknown number iyan e, ‘di unknown din ang source niyan (If that is from an unknown number, then the source is also unknown)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday.
"So, kung unknown ang source niyan, so, malamang gumagawa ang kuwento iyan. So, huwag nating paniwalaan ang mga kumakalat sa social media nang hindi verified at walang ibang source (So if the source is unknown, it is likely that the story is fabricated. Therefore, we should not believe things circulating on social media that are unverified and have no other source)," she added.
On Tuesday, an unknown number sent multiple text messages via Viber, claiming that the President's "acute diverticulitis has deteriorated severely due to drug use" and that "key developments include the formation of a cyst and a clear signs of perforation, which could lead to life-threatening complications if not addressed immediately."
It also claimed that the Chief Executive's condition has now rendered him unable to perform his duty. But Castro stressed that the President has administered the oath taking of Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. as Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief on Wednesday after skipping an awarding ceremony at the Malacañan Palace.
She also emphasized that the President has personally gave an assurance last week that his condition was not life threatening.
"Sinabi po ng Pangulo hindi po life-threatening – nakaramdam po siya nang kaunting sakit at iyan naman po ay tinutugunan ng kanyang mga doktor (The President said that it is not life-threatening. He felt a bit of discomfort, and this is being addressed by his doctors)," Castro said.
"At ngayon po nakikita natin siya sa iba-ibang activities katulad po ng oathtaking sa harapan po mismo ni General Nartatez makikita at naka-attend pa po siya ng EDC (Economy and Development Council) – halos umabot po yata ito ng dalawang oras (And now we see him in various activities, such as the oath-taking held right in front of General Nartatez, and he was also able to attend the EDC, which lasted almost two hours)," Castro added.
She also stressed that the President knows his body, dismissing claims that his condition was serious.
A medical bulletin, she added, would not also be necessary given that the President's condition is not life threatening.
In an earlier statement, the Palace said the Chief Executive is recovering from diverticulitis and was advised to take a rest for the meantime.

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President Marcos health condition Claire Castro diverticulitis
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