Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. challenged critics spreading rumors about his health to join him in the gym, as he sought to dispel online claims that he is seriously ill.
An energetic Marcos greeted the media ahead of a press briefing on April 13, even doing jumping jacks before taking the podium to demonstrate his physical condition.
“I challenge anyone who is saying that I am sick, that they come and exercise with me,” Marcos said.
“Come to the gym with me. Tingnan natin kung sino mas malakas magbuhat ng weight,” he added.
[Translation: Let’s see who can lift heavier weights.]
The president also rejected what he described as false claims circulating online.
“Tiniyak ko na makita ninyo na hindi totoo yung mga sinasabi nila, na kasinungalingan yan… ngayon alam ninyo, puro sinungaling yung mga yan… huwag nyo nang paniwalaan,” he said.
[Translation: I made sure you could see that what they are saying is not true, that those are lies… now you know they are all liars… do not believe them.]
Marcos said he continues to undergo regular medical checkup and that his latest scan showed he has recovered from diverticulitis, an inflammation or infection of small pouches in the digestive tract.
“I’m done. My diet is back to normal. My exercise is back to normal. I still exercise three, four times a week… maintenance medicine,” he said.
He added that he, like many Ilocanos, manages gout — a type of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, leading to pain and swelling.
The president said he has been back to his regular routine for nearly three months and remains fit to carry out his duties.
Malacañang has repeatedly denied speculation about Marcos’ health, including claims that he has been seriously ill for months.
Palace press officer Claire Castro earlier dismissed remarks by Senator Imee Marcos, saying the president’s sister had no basis to comment on his condition.
“Hindi naman sila nagkikita… ano ang alam niya? Wala. Fake news ‘yan,” Castro said.
[Translation: They do not see each other… what does she know? Nothing. That is fake news.]
She urged the public to rely on verified information from credible media organizations and warned against amplifying false claims online. She also called fake news peddlers as social menace.
The Presidential Communications Office also said it had detected a “sudden and coordinated surge” of disinformation targeting the president’s health, describing it as an effort to mislead the public.
