‘Nothing to worry about’: Palace dismisses rumors of Marcos' deteriorating health

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January 28, 2026 | 4:57pm

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang insisted that there is no cause for concern over the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis.

Marcos has skipped several major events since his diagnosis, with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto representing him in public engagements.

Recto again stood in for the president, for example, during the awarding of the 2025 Gawad Lingkod Bayani.

In an interview after the event, Recto said doctors advised Marcos to take a week's rest.

"Nothing to worry about," Recto said, as seen in a video made available to reporters.

Recto said he himself also developed diverticulitis last year and fully recovered. He expected to president to similarly recover in the coming weeks.

Marcos has largely avoided major events since his diagnosis, with most of his appearances limited to photo and video releases from the Palace.

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said the president is recovering but may miss some public activities.

"The president will continue to focus on critical duties but the Executive Secretary and other Cabinet members who are his alter ego may represent him at some engagements," Gomez said.

Anonymous texts

Some reporters covering the president received anonymous messages claiming his health had rapidly deteriorated and that he could no longer perform his duties. If true, the Constitution requires an incapacitated president to give way to succession, with the vice president stepping in to act as head of state.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro thumbed down the messages as untrue.

"Kung unknown number iyan eh 'di unknown din ang source niyan. 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," Castro said.

(If it is an unknown number, then it is an unknown source. So, if it is an unknown source, obviously they are just making up stories. So, let’s not believe the things circulating on social media that is not verified and has no source.)