Malacañang dismissed as “fake news” claims that President Marcos will undergo surgery for diverticulitis, stressing that the Chief Executive remains in good condition and is back to work.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said there is no truth to social media posts suggesting that the President is set to be operated on, calling the reports baseless.

“Wala pong ganoong balita na maibibigay po tayo… iyan po ay fake news (There is no such information we can provide… that is fake news),” she said in a press briefing on Monday, Jan. 26.

Castro said the President was already attending meetings, underscoring that his condition has improved.

“Sa ngayon po ay masasabi nating maganda po ang kalagayan ng ating Pangulo dahil siya po ay kasalukuyang nasa meeting (At this point, we can say that the President’s condition is good because he is currently in a meeting),”

Asked if Marcos would soon appear in public after skipping some engagements last week, Castro said his current meetings may be documented and shared to show that he is doing well.

“Iyong pagmi-meeting po ngayon… malamang po ay mai-post ito para po mapakita natin na ang Pangulo po ay nasa maayos na kundisyon (The meetings he is attending now may likely be posted to show that the President is in good condition),” she said.

The Palace Press Officer also said the President’s schedule has largely returned to normal following his recent health concern.

She clarified, however, that while Marcos is functioning normally, only the President himself can fully describe what he personally feels.

“Personal niya pong nararamdaman kung sumasakit ang kaniyang tiyan, but sa ngayon po ay wala po siyang iniinda (It is personal to him if he feels any stomach pain, but at present, he is not experiencing anything),” Castro said.

Marcos earlier disclosed that he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, a condition his doctors said is not life-threatening and manageable with rest and treatment.