Jamaine Punzalan

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his statement on his State Visit to India and answers questions on pressing issues during the Kapihan with the Media at the Taj West End in Bengaluru, India, on August 8, 2025, before returning to the Philippines.  Noel Pabalate, PPA pool

Article (news)

MARCOS

Harlene Delgado

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is recovering and has been advised by doctors to take a week-long rest after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, officials said Wednesday. Marcos missed the Gawad Lingkod Bayani awards on Wednesday and was instead represented by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. “It’s only natural for the doctors to tell him to take a week rest,” Recto said in a chance interview.“Konting pahinga lang, just like any other normal individual,” he added.Recto shared that he also had diverticulitis twice last year and had “down time for a week for each episode.”“So now, I am fully recovered. And I think in the next few weeks, the President will be fully recovered,” the official added.For now, Recto said Marcos still had daily “private meetings” and was “taking time out now to sign all documents”. In a separate statement, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said the President “recently returned from medical care and is recovering from diverticulitis”.“His medical team notes his steady progress,” Gomez said.“The President will continue to focus on critical duties but the Executive Secretary and other Cabinet members who are his alter ego may represent him at some engagements,” he said.Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro latter in the day said the President’s condition was improving. “Masasabi po natin na gumaganda, umiigi, umaayos po ang kalusugan ng Pangulo matapos po siyang ma-diagnose ng doktor patungkol sa diverticulitis,” she told Palace reporters.The Palace said it was not inclined to release medical bulletins on the President’s health condition.“Sa ating pagkakaalam po kapag naglabas ng medical bulletin dapat serious illness,” Castro said.“Kung sinabi ng Pangulo na hindi ito life-threatening, so, bakit kakailanganin po ngayon ang medical bulletin samantalang kami naman po ay nagpu-provide  sa inyo kung ano ang kalagayan ng kalusugan ng Pangulo,” she said.“Mas reliable po siguro mismo ang Pangulo ang nagsasabi kung ano po ang kaniyang nararamdaman,” the PCO official added.Malacañang on Tuesday said the President was in good condition but would temporarily <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/27/marcos-heeds-doctor-s-advice-skips-events-outside-palace-after-diverticulitis-diagnosis-1355">limit his engagements</a> to private meetings.Marcos Jr. was brought to the hospital last week and was diagnosed with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/1/23/what-is-diverticulitis-1242">diverticulitis</a>, the inflammation of pouches inside the colon.While the President has described the disease as “not a life-threatening condition,” he has since skipped several events outside Malacañang, including the opening of new kiosks in the Pasig River Esplanade and an education event in Ilocos Norte.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/26/marcos-jr-s-alleged-diverticulitis-operation-is-fake-news-says-malaca-ang-1327">Marcos Jr.’s alleged diverticulitis operation is &#x27;fake news&#x27;—Malacañang</a></div><div><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ufTcxz_hJSk" title="Marcos spent night under medical observation, Palace says | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. skipped the Gawad Lingkod Bayani event at the Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, days after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. skipped the Gawad Lingkod Bayani event at the Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, days after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis.

‘Konting pahinga lang’: Marcos ‘recovering’ from diverticulitis, to focus on ‘critical duties’ — officials

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‘Konting pahinga lang’: Marcos ‘recovering’ from diverticulitis, to focus on ‘critical duties’ — officials

Harlene Delgado,

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 28, 2026 09:28 AM PHT

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Updated January 28, 2026 04:00 PM PHT

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Marcos

health

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