Malacañang on Monday dismissed circulating claims on social media alleging that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is suffering from a serious illness, saying the Chief Executive remains in good health.
The rumors, reportedly spread by vloggers allied with the family of former President Rodrigo Duterte, claimed the President was in stage 4 cancer.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro refuted the speculation, stressing that Marcos continues to perform his duties.
“Kanino po ba galing? Kayo naman ay mainstream media siguro ay mas mangingibabaw dapat ang mainstream media kaysa mga socmed na walang basehan, maayos po siya,” Castro said.
She added that the President had an event in Malacañang that same afternoon with local officials, underscoring his active schedule.
Castro urged the public not to believe unverified information online, noting the prevalence of fake news.
“Makikita aniya ng publiko ang Pangulo sa kanyang mga pampanguluhang aktibidad kaya huwag basta nagpapaniwala sa fake news na gawa ng mga kalaban,” she said.
The Palace did not address why Marcos skipped a scheduled morning engagement with returning overseas workers in Quezon City.