Palace hits back at Roque, says Marcos has no colon cancer

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February 11, 2026 | 7:00pm

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday, February 11, thumbed down claims that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has colon cancer, saying that such speculation would hurt the government and the economy.

Rumors of Marcos having colon cancer stemmed from former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque questioning the Palace on whether the president had a colostomy bag, which is used to collect bodily waste.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that such rumors were detrimental to the government, the president and the economy.

Castro called Roque a “fake news peddler.”

“Huwag na po tayong maniwala. At nakikiusap po tayo, huwag na po nating dalhin sa anumang usapan ang mga fake news peddlers katulad nila,” Castro said.

(Do not believe it. And we are asking you not to bring fake news peddlers like him into the discussion.)

Discussions on Marcos’ health had intensified after the president was diagnosed with diverticulitis, causing him to miss several work commitments.

The Palace said the president has since been recovering from the illness.