The government has also taken other steps to address the issue.
On Monday, April 13, just as he was about to start his press briefing at the Malacañan Palace, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did a number of jumping jacks as he challenged claims about his health.
He maintained that he is in good health and cited regular exercise and recent medical tests as proof of his fitness.
He also dismissed circulating claims about his condition as untrue and challenged those who questioned his health and suggesting he is sick or incapacitated—which, he told, are false and misleading—to join him in physical activity to demonstrate his capabilities.
“Hindi ito sa tape. I am carrying my statement for this afternoon, which is what I’m going to make. It is April [13], we’re going to talk about the exercise tax. So, this is been done today,” the President told members of the press.
He furthered, “And I challenge anyone who are saying that I am sick, that they come and exercise with me. We will see who is stronger. Come to the gym with me, tingnan natin kung sino mas malakas pagbuhat ng weight.”
The President also emphasized that reports about him are not true and that those who spread those rumors are “liars.”
“Gusto ko ngang sabihin, ang mga kababayan naman natin, ngayon, tiniyak ko na makita ninyo na hindi totoo ‘yung mga sinasabi nila, na kasinungalingan ‘yan. Kaya mula ngayon, ‘yung mga taong ‘yan na nagsabi sa inyo na may sakit ako, na baldado na ako, ha? Alamin ninyo – ngayon alam ninyo, puro sinungaling ‘yang mga ‘yan,” he said.
Marcos furthered, “Kaya’t lahat ng sasabihin ng mga ‘yan, kasinungalingan. Kaya’t huwag niyo nang paniwalaan kung sino man ‘yung mga ‘yun. Now you know who the liars are and who is telling the truth.”
The President also reiterated that he keeps himself in good shape by monitoring his health and taking vitamins.
“And once again, I think it’s very easy and very clear that I’m in very, very good health…I just had my regular blood test kasi nagpapaano ako ng vitamins and everything. And I’m fine. I’m really quite fine. Last time that I went to the hospital was to have my CAT scan to show na ‘yung diverticulitis ko gumaling na.”
On claims that he went to the hospital recently for his “condition,” he said, “I haven’t been to the hospital for three months and even then it was just to have a CAT scan because the CAT scan – to tell my doctors if the diverticulitis has completely been fixed… My diet is back to normal. My exercise is back to normal. I still exercise three to four times a week. I’m watching my food better than before.”
President Marcos said he only keeps two maintenance medicines, one for gout and the other for high blood pressure or hypertension.
“When I have allergies, I take an antihistamine. Pero wala naman ngayon…If you eat well, you exercise regularly, and you get regular sleep.‘Yun lang medyo kulang ako, tulog. But otherwise, everything is normal. And I’m happy to say that I’m healthy,” he also noted.
Previously, he had already addressed the matter. Last Wednesday, he reassured the public on his personal health and shared that he has resumed his fitness routine
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa nag-aalala sa akin,” President Marcos said back then. “Wala naman talagang bawal. Maraming suggestion, iwasan mo yung masyado ma-mantika.”
He added, “I’ve been back to my regular routine for the last… magti-three months na ito,” as he also brushed off concerns circulating on social media.
Since then, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), together with other agencies, have taken steps to combat the “fake news,” such as directing Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, to take action and investigating personalities involved in spreading it.
