Metro Manila, Philippines – There is no cause for concern regarding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s health, a Palace official said on Friday, April 11.
During a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the video showing the president with what appeared to be bleeding gums has been circulated by “fake news peddlers” to question his well-being. The footage was captured during his speech at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Wednesday.“Mapapansin ninyo po, siguro po kahit po iyong mga media, halos araw-araw naman po ay nakikita ninyo ang pangulo sa kaniyang mga activities at sa kaniyang pagsama dito sa Alyansa,” said Castro. [Translation: “You may notice, and perhaps even the media observes, that the President is seen every day engaging in his activities and attending meetings with the Alyansa]She added that she regularly meets with the president.“Maliban diyan ay mayroon pa rin po siyang mga meeting kasama po kami, at sa aking perspektibo dahil nakakasama tayo mismo ng Pangulo, maganda po ang kalusugan ng ating Pangulo dahil kung hindi po maganda ang kalusugan ng ating Pangulo, malamang ay hindi na po siya nakakaganap ng kaniyang mga tungkulin sa araw-araw,” Castro added. [Translation: “Besides that, he still holds meetings with us, and from my perspective – since we are directly with the president – our president is in good health. If he were unwell, he would likely be unable to carry out his daily responsibilities.]Castro also urged those spreading disinformation not to speculate on the president’s health.“At ang aking pakiusap lamang po sa mga fake news peddlers, huwag ninyo pong gawan ng kuwento ang Pangulo patungkol sa kaniyang kalusugan. Hindi po iyan maganda para sa ating bansa, dapat po ipagdasal pa po natin na maging maganda ang kalusugan ng mga namumuno sa atin. At iwasan po nila na magbigay ng speculation; kahit hindi po doktor ay nagpapakadoktor sa social media.”[Translation: “My plea to the fake news peddlers is, please do not fabricate stories about the President’s health. That is not good for our country; we should instead pray that our leaders remain in good health. And they should avoid speculation – there are those on social media pretending to be doctors even though they are not.]
