The Philippine government is preparing legal action against people spreading unverified claims about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s health, even as the president himself downplayed concerns and said he has long since returned to his normal schedule.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said evidence is already being gathered ahead of a formal complaint to the Department of Justice. “We are already collecting all pieces of evidence against those spreading rumors about the health of PBBM, and we will initiate a complaint with the DOJ hopefully next week,” Gomez told reporters via Viber message.
Marcos, who was hospitalized on January 21 and diagnosed with diverticulitis — an inflammation of small pouches in the colon — addressed the speculation directly in an interview with Palace press officer Claire Castro, saying the online chatter does not reflect reality.
“I would like to thank those who are concerned about me. Please don’t take it too seriously; you know social media is just for fun. And we don’t have any problems,” he said.
The president said he has resumed physical activity and maintained his usual habits in the period since his diagnosis. “I am back to my regular exercise. I’ve been sticking to my usual routine for the past twenty-three months, continuing what I’ve always done… watching my health and making sure I’m always ready to do the work,” he added.
The DOJ complaint, if filed, would target individuals Gomez’s office has identified as sources of the circulating health misinformation.
