Palace Confirms President Marcos Does Not Have Cancer

Malacañang Dismisses False Claims of President Marcos Having Colon Cancer

The Presidential Palace has firmly rejected rumors circulating online that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is suffering from colon cancer, calling such claims “fake news” that harm both the government and the economy.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the denial on February 11 in response to persistent speculation about the President’s health following his hospitalization last month. The official rebuke came after former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque shared a photo suggesting Marcos had a colostomy bag visible through his clothing during a recent public appearance.

“What’s bad about this is that these rumors and gossip are baseless, and they damage the government, the President, and affect the economy,” Castro stated, emphasizing the serious implications of such misinformation.

The false claims gained traction through two YouTube videos that have collectively amassed over 106,000 views. One video, uploaded by “News Update Files” on February 1, carried the provocative title suggesting Marcos has stage 4 cancer that cannot be treated. A second video from “Pinas News Portal” on February 3 made similar unfounded assertions.

Both videos featured commentary from channels aligned with former President Rodrigo Duterte, raising questions about potential political motivations behind the health rumors. The videos emerged amid public discussion about Marcos’ recent health issues.

The President was hospitalized on January 21 with diverticulitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the digestive tract where small pouches in the intestinal wall become inflamed or infected. In a video statement released the following day, Marcos clarified that his condition was “not life-threatening” and attributed it to “stress and aging.”

Marcos has since addressed his health status directly. In a February 1 vlog update, he reassured the public about his recovery: “As for me, I’m recovering. The doctors gave me a positive assessment, nothing serious. I just need to regain my strength.” He also explained that his noticeable weight loss resulted from being placed on a soft diet for several days during his recovery.

This isn’t the first wave of health-related misinformation targeting the President. Since his hospitalization, Marcos has been the subject of multiple false claims, including AI-generated images showing him on a ventilator, a fabricated medical document alleging a severe diagnosis, and unsubstantiated claims linking his diverticulitis to cocaine use.

The spread of such health misinformation has prompted government action, with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group being tasked to investigate the sources behind the false information.

Political health rumors are not uncommon in the Philippines, where speculation about leaders’ medical conditions has historically been weaponized for political advantage. The Marcos administration’s quick and direct response reflects the potential impact such rumors can have on public perception and governance.

Despite the brief health setback, President Marcos has resumed his official duties at Malacañang. He recently presided over the third full meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council of the 20th Congress, where he approved 21 priority bills, demonstrating his active return to the demanding schedule of presidential responsibilities.

The President’s return to public life and regular duties appears to contradict the narrative pushed by these false health claims, as he continues to fulfill his role as the country’s chief executive without apparent limitations.