Palace: President feeling better, returns to work
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was back at work on Monday after getting hospitalized for complications due to diverticulitis, which does not require surgery, Malacañang said on Monday.
As proof that he had resumed his normal routine, Marcos led a meeting of the Economy and Development ED) Council with members of the Cabinet to discuss key priorities “to revitalize” the Philippine Development Plan, Palace press officer Claire Castro said.
“The President is in good condition, because he is currently attending the meeting [of the ED Council]. They are discussing a lot of issues,” Castro added. “Right now, he is no longer feeling any discomfort.”
She also squelched speculation that Marcos would need to undergo surgery because of diverticulitis, calling this “fake news.”
READ: President after night in hospital: ‘Don’t get too excited just yet’
The 68-year-old President underwent observation at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City on the night of Jan. 21 after experiencing discomfort. He was diagnosed with diverticulitis—an inflammation of the diverticula, or small pockets in the colon. The nonlethal condition is common among aging individuals frequently under stress.
Impeachment raps
That same day, two groups had filed impeachment complaints against Marcos, accusing him of betrayal of public trust over the multibillion-peso kickbacks from flood control projects and alleged anomalies in the national budget.
Malacañang earlier said the President carried out his responsibilities while under medical observation and returned to his official residence after several hours in the hospital.
The President, however, assured the public in a video message the following day that there was nothing to worry about. “Don’t get too excited just yet because it’s not a life-threatening condition,” he replied when asked if he had a message for those who wanted to see him out of Malacañang before the end of his term.
Still, the President has not been seen publicly since then. In events held at Malacañang and Ilocos Norte after his hospitalization, he was represented by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and his eldest son, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos. /cb
