Imelda Marcos OK now after slipping in Congress, says aide

Former first lady Imelda Marcos. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos is now in stable condition after slipping and falling to the floor at the Batasang Pambansa a few hours before the President’s State of the Nation Address on Monday, which she had to miss because of the accident.

In a statement, Marcos’ chief if staff Filadelfo Diaz III said Marcos only suffered a “minor injury.”

“The Office of Hon. Congresswoman Imelda Romualdez-Marcos would like to assure the public that the lady solon is in stable condition now after she met a small accident at the House of Representatives,” Diaz said.

Marcos was leaving the session hall after the morning session when her right foot slipped, he said. She lost her balance as a result, and her left knee hit the floor, he said.

Marcos was joining the first ever session of the 16th congress on Monday morning, where she voted for her nephew Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who ran for House Speaker. Romualdez placed third in the three-way race won by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.  The second top vote-getter, San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, automatically became the House minority leader.

The House medical team attended to Marcos after her fall, and the initial checkup showed she had a minor injury and that there was no reason to worry, said Diaz.

But to be safe, she was advised to have undergo an x-ray scan and have her foot checked in a hospital, he added.

She was brought to the Philippine Heart Center. As a result, she missed the President’s SONA held Monday afternoon.

Diaz said Marcos was grateful to those who were concerned about her.

“Congresswoman Marcos would like to extend her message of thanks to all her colleagues, friends and supporters who expressed their concern regarding her condition,” he said.