Marcos Denies Cocaine Use Link to Diverticulitis Diagnosis

President Marcos Clarifies Diverticulitis Diagnosis, Refutes Drug Rumors

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has dismissed false claims connecting his recent diverticulitis diagnosis to alleged cocaine use, following a surge of misinformation circulating on social media platforms about his health condition.

In a January 22 video statement, the 68-year-old Philippine leader described diverticulitis as a “common complaint amongst people who are heavily stressed and…growing old.” He made no reference to drug use as a contributing factor to his medical condition, contradicting viral claims suggesting otherwise.

The rumors gained traction after a YouTube video titled “President Marcos, umamin na dahilan health condition ay heavy cocaine use” (President Marcos admitted the reason for his health condition is heavy cocaine use) was uploaded on January 23, garnering over 23,000 views and 2,500 likes. The video’s narrator falsely claimed that Marcos had inadvertently revealed cocaine use by disclosing his diverticulitis diagnosis, asserting without evidence that the symptoms of cocaine use and diverticulitis are “exactly the same.”

Medical experts define diverticulitis as an inflammatory condition of the digestive tract with multiple established risk factors, including advanced age, low-fiber diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic predisposition. According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition predominantly affects individuals over 50 and becomes increasingly common with age.

Palace officials have consistently maintained that the President’s condition is not life-threatening. Marcos was placed under medical observation at St. Luke’s Medical Center on January 21 after experiencing abdominal discomfort. Following his diagnosis, he returned to Malacañang Palace to resume his official duties.

The recent health-related disinformation campaign represents the latest chapter in a years-long pattern of drug-related allegations targeting Marcos. During the previous administration, then-President Rodrigo Duterte publicly called Marcos a “drug addict” – accusations the current president has repeatedly denied.

The false narrative linking diverticulitis to cocaine use has found a receptive audience online, with numerous social media users calling for Marcos’ resignation or impeachment based solely on the video’s unfounded allegations. The comments section reveals many viewers accepted the claim without verification, highlighting the challenge of combating health-related misinformation targeting public officials.

This incident occurs amid a broader wave of fabricated content about the President’s health condition. Recent weeks have seen the circulation of a fake medical report, a falsely attributed statement to Palace Press Undersecretary Claire Castro, and even an AI-generated image purporting to show Marcos confined to a hospital bed – all of which have been debunked by fact-checkers.

Health misinformation targeting political figures has become increasingly sophisticated in the Philippines’ digital landscape, often mixing medical terminology with political accusations to create compelling but false narratives. The President’s genuine health disclosure has provided fodder for conspiracy theorists and political opponents alike.

As Marcos continues to perform his official duties following his diagnosis, the administration faces the dual challenge of managing both his health condition and the spread of harmful misinformation that could undermine public trust in official health statements from Malacañang.