Fake news, Marcos says of rumored sudden illness

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. —Official Facebook page of PCO

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos on Wednesday denied rumors circulating on social media that he was suddenly taken ill after he was not seen in public as strong rains due to Typhoon Enteng (international name: Yagi) and the southwest monsoon (habagat) were felt in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, the President laughed off the “fake news” that he had a medical emergency.

“Do I look sick? That’s what we have to guard against, fake news. Don’t believe it unless it comes from a credible source. So many friends called me up to ask, ‘Are you okay? Are you okay?’ That’s foolishness,” Marcos said.

READ: Marcos asks local gov’ts to lead public health info drive

He went on: “It’s totally and completely fake. I do not even have a cold. I do not have anything wrong with me. I’m fine.”

The President made the remarks as #NasaanAngPangulo trended on social media, with netizens inquiring about his whereabouts amid heavy rains from the twin weather disturbances.

Social media networks like Facebook and X also buzzed with rumors that Marcos had a medical emergency that required immediate attention.

No public engagement

The Chief Executive directly addressed this rumor by explaining his activities on Tuesday, adding that he stayed mostly in Malacañang that day.

“I had a meeting in the morning. I had a command conference with some of our commanders. And I spent the rest of the day reading my briefs and doing paperwork. So I was surprised when they said I had a ‘medical emergency,’” he said.

Following his daylong absence from the public eye, the President presided over a situation briefing on the effects of Enteng held by the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council on Wednesday morning.

He later conducted an aerial inspection of flooded areas in Marikina City and Rizal, where he saw deforested parts of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

In the afternoon, Marcos returned to Malacañang to meet outgoing Colombia Ambassador to Manila Marcela Ordoñez and visiting Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, before sitting down for a meeting with members of his Cabinet.