President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the Filipino public on Wednesday that he is in good health, dismissing rumors that he had been hospitalized. The speculation arose after the hashtag “Nasaan ang Pangulo?” (Where is the President?) trended on social media as Tropical Storm Enteng caused severe weather conditions, including flooding and landslides, across Luzon and Metro Manila.
During an interview after a briefing on the storm’s impact at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Marcos addressed the rumors with a laugh, stating, “Ba’t lagi nilang pinipilit ’yan? Andito ako,” which translates to “Why do they always insist on that? I’m here.”
The President emphasized that there was no truth to the rumors about his health, calling them “nonsense.” He urged the public to be wary of misinformation, stating, “That’s what we should be watchful of, those fake news. Don’t believe unless it comes from a credible source.”
While Marcos had no public events on Tuesday, he clarified that he attended a command conference with military generals and spent the remainder of the day reviewing documents and completing paperwork. He also expressed surprise over the rumors, saying, “I was surprised when they said that there was… ano? (what?) Medical emergency.”
The 66-year-old leader reassured everyone that he is in excellent health, concluding, “It’s totally and completely fake. I do not even have a cold. I do not have anything wrong with me. I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”