Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signs the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang on Monday, January 5, 2026. The national budget, enacted as Republic Act No. 12314, amounts to P6.793 trillion.  Yummie Dingding /PPA POOL

Article (news)

MARCOS

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176940499280520260105-marcos-gaa-signing-PPA45.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signs the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang on Monday, January 5, 2026. The national budget, enacted as Republic Act No. 12314, amounts to P6.793 trillion.  Yummie Dingding /PPA POOL</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s reported surgery after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis last week is fake news, Malacañang said on Monday, following allegations that the Philippines’ top official is set to undergo a medical operation to address his gut issues.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/22/-wag-masyadong-excited-marcos-says-death-rumors-highly-exaggerated-after-hospitalization-1721">‘Wag masyadong excited’: Marcos says death rumors ‘highly exaggerated’ after hospitalization</a></div><p>“Wala pong ganoong balita na nabibigay tayo dahil ang Pangulo po ay nasa meeting so yan po ay fake news,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace press briefing.</p><p>“Maganda po ang kalagayan ng Pangulo. Siya ay kasalukuyang nasa meeting,” she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/22/palace-marcos-underwent-medical-observation-after-experiencing-discomfort-1208">Palace: Marcos underwent medical observation due to &#x27;discomfort&#x27;, now back to work</a></div><p>Last week, Marcos Jr. canceled several events and later on announced that he had to be admitted to a hospital due to health issues.</p><p>The President said he was diagnosed with diverticulitis — the inflammation of parts of the colon — possibly due to his age and stress.</p><p>“Masasabi po natin na back to normal po [ang Pangulo]... Sa ngayon po wala po siyang iniinda [na sakit],” Castro said.</p><p>Marcos Jr. had earlier described rumors about his health as “highly exaggerated,” underscoring that diverticulitis is “not a life-threatening condition.” </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PALACE MEETING</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Marcos on Monday led the 7th Economy and Development Council meeting in Malacañang, which tackled “key 2026 priorities”, including the implementation of the Philippine Development Plan and the advancement of the country’s digital connectivity, Malacañang said. </p><p>While the Palace has yet to release further details about the said meeting, the Presidential Communications Office noted that the meeting proved that the President was back to his regular routine. </p><p>Meanwhile, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) officials also traveled to Malacañang last week to discuss several “key priorities aimed at building a stronger and more inclusive” region. </p><p>MinDA executives met with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to discuss the administration’s plans for the development of the Philippines’ southernmost island group, the Office of the Executive Secretary said in a statement.</p><p>“The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that the region keeps pace with national development,” the statement read.</p><p>The topics tackled included peace and security, the investment climate, and sustainable growth.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ufTcxz_hJSk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s reported surgery after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis last week is fake news, Malacañang said on Monday.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s reported surgery after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis last week is fake news, Malacañang said on Monday.

Marcos Jr.’s alleged diverticulitis operation is 'fake news'—Malacañang

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Marcos Jr.’s alleged diverticulitis operation is 'fake news'—Malacañang

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 26, 2026 01:27 PM PHT

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Updated Jan 26, 2026 04:04 PM PHT

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Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

diverticulitis

Marcos Jr. operation

Marcos Jr. health

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