Malacañang on Saturday pushed back against Senator Imee Marcos’ remarks on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s health, cautioning against turning a medical condition into political theater and stressing the need for sincerity rather than performative concern.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued a sharp response after the senator alleged that the President’s illness was worsened by neglect inside the Palace, accusing insiders of being driven by personal agendas.
“Huwag natin gawing biro ang kalusugan ng Pangulo. Huwag maging komedyante o payaso sa pagbibigay ng payo,” Castro said, emphasizing that genuine compassion—not public grandstanding—matters most when someone is recovering.
She added that “real concern and compassion” are needed, warning against what she described as plastic or insincere displays of concern staged before the public.
Senator Marcos had claimed her brother fell ill because no one in Malacañang truly cared for him, suggesting that those around the Chief Executive were motivated by selfish interests.
The Palace statement came as President Marcos himself sought to dispel speculation surrounding his brief hospitalization earlier in the week, firmly rejecting online rumors about his supposed death.
In a video message released Thursday, the President assured the public he was already feeling better and confirmed he had been diagnosed with diverticulitis, a non-life-threatening digestive condition often linked to stress and aging.
Despite the family undertones of the exchange, Malacañang underscored that it would not entertain narratives politicizing the President’s health, noting that Marcos has resumed his duties after medical observation and returned to the Palace.