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Palace Officials Refute Viral Claims About President Marcos’s Health
Palace officials have strongly denied false claims circulating on social media that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. The fabricated reports, which suggested the President “does not have long to live,” have been categorically rejected by government representatives.
The rumors gained traction after a Facebook page called “Celeb News” published a misleading graphic on February 2 featuring a photo collage of what appeared to be Marcos in a hospital bed alongside Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary Claire Castro at a press conference. Text overlaid on the image falsely attributed a statement to Castro claiming the President was terminally ill.
This viral post emerged during a period when Marcos had limited public appearances, fueling speculation about his health condition. The misleading content quickly accumulated over 1,100 reactions, 1,300 comments, and more than 100 shares as it spread across social media platforms.
Contrary to these fabricated claims, Castro has repeatedly assured the public that Marcos is recovering well. The President was briefly hospitalized at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City on January 21 after experiencing discomfort, which was later diagnosed as diverticulitis – a common inflammatory condition affecting the digestive tract.
“There is absolutely no basis for these alarming claims,” a Palace spokesperson stated. “The President’s condition is not life-threatening, and he continues to perform his duties while recovering.”
Marcos himself addressed the rumors in a video statement released on January 22, saying, “The rumors of my death are highly exaggerated.” He attributed his condition to a combination of stress and age-related factors, reassuring the public that his health situation was manageable.
During a January 28 press briefing, Castro reinforced this position, explaining that a medical bulletin was unnecessary because the President had already informed the public about his condition. “As far as we know, medical bulletins are only released in cases of serious illness,” she said. “If the President has stated that his condition is not life-threatening, why would a medical bulletin be necessary?”
Castro also emphasized that despite his recovery period, Marcos has maintained his work schedule through private meetings and continues to fulfill his presidential responsibilities.
The spread of false information regarding the President’s health has become increasingly sophisticated. Beyond the misleading social media posts, fabricated medical documents bearing St. Luke’s Medical Center letterhead have circulated, purporting to show severe diagnoses for the President. Both the hospital administration and Malacañang Palace have condemned these documents as “fake and falsified.”
Additionally, AI-generated images depicting Marcos supposedly connected to a ventilator in a hospital bed have been debunked by fact-checking organizations.
These incidents reflect a growing trend of health-related misinformation targeting public figures in the Philippines. Government authorities, including the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, have launched investigations to identify the sources of these falsified materials.
Media literacy experts warn that such health-related misinformation can create unnecessary public anxiety and undermine trust in official communications. They advise the public to verify information through official government channels and credible news sources before sharing content on social media platforms.
The Palace continues to provide regular updates on the President’s recovery as he resumes his normal schedule of public appearances and official duties.
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20 Comments
I’m not surprised to see these kinds of false claims emerge, but I’m glad the government was quick to address them. We need to remain vigilant against the spread of disinformation, especially around sensitive political issues.
Exactly. Fact-checking and media literacy are essential tools to combat the proliferation of fake news. Kudos to the communications office for their prompt response.
This is a troubling example of the spread of political misinformation. I’m glad the government acted quickly to address these baseless rumors and reassure the public. Upholding the truth is essential for preserving the integrity of our democratic institutions.
I agree completely. In today’s digital age, combating the proliferation of fake news requires a concerted effort from both the government and the public. Kudos to the communications office for their swift and transparent response.
While it’s concerning to see these kinds of false claims gain traction, I’m encouraged by the government’s prompt response. Maintaining public trust through transparency and accountability should be a top priority.
Well said. Disinformation can have serious consequences, so it’s important for the public to have access to reliable, fact-based information from trusted sources.
As concerning as these kinds of fabricated stories can be, I’m glad to see the government taking a strong stance against misinformation. Maintaining transparency and public trust should be a top priority.
Absolutely. In today’s digital age, the ability to quickly debunk false claims is crucial. This prompt response helps uphold the integrity of our democratic processes.
This is a clear example of the need for robust fact-checking and media literacy efforts. Spreading unverified claims, especially about senior government officials, undermines public faith in our democratic institutions.
I agree. We must remain vigilant against the manipulation of information for political gain. Kudos to the communications office for their swift and transparent response.
It’s concerning to see such blatant disinformation circulating, especially regarding the health of a sitting head of state. I hope the government can take strong action to counter these kinds of malicious fake news campaigns.
Agreed. Transparency and accountability from our leaders is paramount, which is why it’s so important to swiftly debunk these kinds of fabrications.
Fake news and unsubstantiated claims can be incredibly damaging, especially when they involve the health of a sitting president. I’m glad to see the government taking a proactive stance to address these rumors and maintain transparency.
Agreed. In an age of heightened political polarization, it’s crucial that our leaders and public institutions remain committed to providing accurate, factual information to the public.
While it’s disappointing to see this kind of political disinformation circulating, I’m encouraged by the government’s swift action to correct the record. Upholding the truth is essential for preserving public confidence.
Well said. Combating the spread of misinformation requires a multi-pronged approach, including strong communication from trusted authorities. This sets a good example for how to handle such situations.
This is clearly a case of political misinformation designed to sow doubt and discord. I’m glad the government was quick to refute these baseless rumors about the President’s health. We should be wary of unsubstantiated claims, especially during sensitive political times.
Absolutely, spreading unverified information like this is irresponsible and can have real consequences. Fact-checking is crucial to maintain public trust.
While it’s concerning to see this kind of misleading content gain traction, I’m encouraged by the government’s swift action to refute the claims. Maintaining public trust in our institutions is crucial, especially during challenging times.
Well said. Disinformation can be incredibly damaging, so it’s important for the public to have access to reliable, fact-based information from trusted sources.