MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has officially tagged a circulating medical report concerning the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as fake, warning the public against the spread of “fabricated and malicious” claims.
In a statement released late Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the PCO emphasized that the President is in good health and remains “fully capable” of performing his official duties.
Details of the Fake Document The document in question, which surfaced on social media and messaging platforms like Viber, contained several alarming but unsubstantiated claims:
- The Alleged Condition: The falsified report stated that the President was suffering from “severe sigmoid diverticulitis” that required urgent surgical consultation.
- The Date and Source: The document was dated January 25 and attributed to a Dr. Juliet Cervantez.
- Malicious Claims: An unidentified source—claiming to be from the “Office of the First Lady”—circulated the report along with a malicious allegation that the condition was exacerbated by “drug use.”
The Palace’s Rebuttal The PCO strongly condemned the circulation of the document, describing it as a deceptive attempt to create public alarm:
- Authenticity: The Palace clarified that the document did not originate from any legitimate medical examination and does not reflect the President’s actual health status.
- Legal Action: Government authorities are currently reviewing “appropriate legal options” against those responsible for creating and amplifying the fake report.
- Right to Privacy: The PCO noted that intentional spread of such information is a “clear violation of the President’s right to privacy.”
The President’s Update Concurrent with the PCO’s statement, President Marcos released a video on social media to reassure the public. In the video, the President is seen interacting with the family dog, “Oreo,” and discussing his recovery:
- Medical Care: “My doctors are great. They just gave me some medicine,” the President said, confirming he is under medical supervision for a less severe condition but is “feeling well.”
- Continuity of Service: Despite the hospitalization earlier in the week, the Palace maintained there is no need for a formal medical bulletin, as the President has already resumed active work from his residence.
The PCO urged the public to rely only on official statements from authorized government sources and to refrain from sharing unverified content that undermines trust in national institutions.