Camille Naredo

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. runs from Gate 3 to Gate 4 of Malacañang Palace to show he is healthy and to debunk misinformation claiming he is unwell or deceased. Revoli Cortez, PPA Pool

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. runs from Gate 3 to Gate 4 of Malacañang Palace to show he is healthy and to debunk misinformation claiming he is unwell or deceased.  Revoli Cortez, 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/177626435200820260413-marcos-running-jumping-against-misinformation-RC-7.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. runs from Gate 3 to Gate 4 of Malacañang Palace to show he is healthy and to debunk misinformation claiming he is unwell or deceased. Revoli Cortez, PPA Pool" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. runs from Gate 3 to Gate 4 of Malacañang Palace to show he is healthy and to debunk misinformation claiming he is unwell or deceased. <em>Revoli Cortez, PPA Pool</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made international headlines after jogging and jumping across the Malacañang complex earlier this week — a move designed to debunk persistent claims that he has been suffering from an advanced stage of cancer and is on the brink of death.</p><p>Here’s a look back at how the Marcos’ colon issues were spun into a narrative to convince the public that the Philippines’ 17th President is no longer fit to hold the top office in the country.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>JANUARY 21 </strong></div><p>Marcos was admitted to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City for “medical observation… after experiencing discomfort.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>JANUARY 22 </strong></div><p>A day after he was brought to the hospital, the President released a recorded video message, and said that he was diagnosed with diverticulitis or the inflammation of small pouched in the colon wall.</p><p>Marcos described the condition as “not life threatening.”</p><p>“The rumors of my death are highly exaggerated.”</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/22/palace-marcos-underwent-medical-observation-after-experiencing-discomfort-1208">READ: Palace: Marcos underwent medical observation due to &#x27;discomfort&#x27;, now back to work</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>JANUARY 28 </strong></div><p>An alleged copy of Marcos’ medical report from St. Luke’s Medical Center went viral.</p><p>Among the supposed recommendations for Marcos was to undergo an “urgent surgical consultation… for possible Hartmann’s procedure or percutaneous drainage,” according to the document that circulated on social media.</p><p>The alleged report also noted that Marcos has mild hepatomegaly(enlargement of the liver), mild fatty involution of the pancreas, mild abdominal aortic and branch vessel calcifications, osteoporosis, and degenerative osseous and disk changes.</p><p>Hours later, St. Luke’s Medical Center released a statement, saying that the viral document is “fake and falsified.”</p><p>On the same day, Malacañang posted a video of Marcos playing with his dog, and saying that while doctors have been monitoring his condition, he remains healthy and well.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>JANUARY 29 </strong></div><p>Malacañang said it is looking at <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/29/pnp-orders-probe-into-fake-medical-bulletin-of-marcos-jr-spread-online-1856">possible legal actions</a> against those behind the President’s fake medical report.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/27/marcos-heeds-doctor-s-advice-skips-events-outside-palace-after-diverticulitis-diagnosis-1355">READ: Marcos Jr. heeds doctor’s advice, skips events outside Palace after diverticulitis diagnosis: Malacañang</a></div><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/26/marcos-jr-s-alleged-diverticulitis-operation-is-fake-news-says-malaca-ang-1327">READ: Marcos Jr.’s alleged diverticulitis operation is &#x27;fake news&#x27;—Malacañang</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>MID-FEBRUARY </strong></div><p>The National Bureau of Investigation began <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/16/nbi-to-file-raps-vs-former-journalist-vlogger-over-fake-presidential-medical-reports-1725">filing charges</a> against several vloggers who shared the fake medical record and deliberately posted misleading and baseless remarks about the President’s health.</p><p>Malacañang said it would not accept apologies from fake news peddlers.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/28/palace-denies-rumors-marcos-jr-in-hospital-1500">READ: Palace denies rumors Marcos Jr. in hospital</a></div><div><br/></div><p><strong>APRIL 5 </strong><br/>Talk of Marcos’ deteriorating health resurfaced after several groups claimed that First Lady Liza Marcos used <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/6/marcos-jr-definitely-in-good-health-palace-says-after-critics-allege-recycled-easter-photo-1517">an old family photo for her Easter Sunday post</a>.</p><p>Some questioned why Marcos suddenly became more plump in the First Lady’s post, when the President supposedly lost weight in recent weeks.</p><p>In the succeeding days, speculation about the President’s health spread like wildfire on social media with some versions alleging that Marcos is suffering from an advanced stage of cancer.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>APRIL 6 </strong></div><p>Malacañang denied rumors about the President’s alleged health issues, saying that Marcos has been monitoring the situation across the country throughout the Holy Week, and is back to his regular routine after the long national break.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>APRIL 7</strong> </div><p>Several social media accounts began accusing the media of colluding with Malacañang to cover up the real health condition of the President.</p><p>Attacks include the supposed use of old photos in recent reports, the editing or blurring of dates to mislead the public, and the use of AI to present a healthy and able President.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>APRIL 8 </strong></div><p>Malacañang released a video of the President talking to Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.</p><p>He belied rumors that he is suffering from a serious illness, saying that he has been back to his regular routine shortly after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis in early 2026.</p><p>“Alam mo naman ang social media, palabiro yan. <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/8/-palabiro-ang-social-media-marcos-debunks-rumors-of-deteriorating-health-1837">Wala naman tayong problema</a>,” the President said when asked to give a statement about his health condition.</p><p>“I have been back to my regular routine for the last 3 months,” he said. “I’m watching my health, I’m making sure that I’m always ready to do the work,” he said.</p><p>Despite this, allegations that Marcos is on the brink of death persisted.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>APRIL 9 </strong></div><p>Marcos joined the commemoration of the martyrdom of Filipino war veterans during the Araw ng Kagitingan rites in Bataan.</p><p>Despite live coverage and fresh videos from the event, several social media pages and groups maintained that these were manipulated content.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/9/marcos-jr-on-araw-ng-kagitingan-remembrance-is-call-to-responsibility-1218">READ: Marcos Jr. on Araw ng Kagitingan: Remembrance is call to responsibility</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>APRIL 13 </strong></div><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/177626430795420260413-marcos-running-jumping-against-misinformation-RC-3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does jumping jacks to show he is healthy and to debunk misinformation claiming he is unwell or deceased. Revoli Cortez, PPA Pool" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does jumping jacks to show he is healthy and to debunk misinformation claiming he is unwell or deceased. <em>Revoli Cortez, PPA Pool</em></span></span></span></div><p>For the first time in his four years as Philippine President, Marcos made a surprise appearance in the Malacañang’s media working area, saying that this should be enough proof to debunk speculations about his health.</p><p>Before entertaining questions from the press, the President did several jumping jacks in front of the camera, asking in jest if reporters want him to do more reps.</p><p>“Tiniyak ko na makita ninyo na hindi totoo yung mga sinasabi... na kasinungalingan yan,” he said.</p><p>“Kaya mula ngayon, ‘yang mga taong yan na nagsabi sa inyo na may sakit ako, na baldado na ako, ngayon alam na ninyo na puro mga sinungaling ang mga yan,” he said.</p><p>&quot;I challenge anyone who is saying that I am sick, that they come and exercise with me... Tingnan natin kung sinong mas malakas magbuhat ng weight,” the President said.</p><p>While Marcos admitting to taking maintenance medicine for gout and hypertension, the President maintained that he is in good health and has recuperated from diverticulitis.</p><p>Marcos also asked reporters to join him in sprinting back to the main Palace building  some 100 meters away from the Malacañang Press Corps’ working area.</p><p>Despite this, there is still a segment of Filipinos online who are convinced that Marcos is gravely ill.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/13/marcos-says-he-is-in-good-health-1605">READ: &#x27;I can do the army dozen&#x27;: Marcos does jumping jacks, says he is healthy</a></div><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/13/palace-labels-imee-s-statement-on-marcos-jr-s-health-as-fake-news-1319">READ: Palace labels Imee’s statement on Marcos Jr.’s health as ‘fake news’</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;DELIBERATE TACTIC’</strong></div><p>Persistent false narratives marring the President’s health is “a deliberate tactic rather than random misinformation,” said international communications and branding expert Joyce Ramirez.</p><p>Such strategies are usually designed to “quickly create uncertainty about who is in control, which can shake public confidence and distract from real political or economic issues,” Ramirez told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>“These narratives often surface during periods of tension or vulnerability, when opponents or opportunistic networks see a chance to weaken authority,” she said.</p><p>“Because alarming content travels faster and feels more urgent, it becomes an effective way to manipulate perception at scale,” she said.</p><p>“Ultimately, the goal is not just to misinform, but to destabilize trust, influence public sentiment, and shift the political narrative in subtle yet very damaging  ways.”</p><p>Some Filipinos continue to turn away from hard evidence that point to a fit and able Marcos because of “hyperpartisanship,” said Danilo Arao, an associate professor of journalism in the University of the Philippines.</p><p>Hyperpartisanship is the extreme polarization of political views, with individuals having unyielding allegiance towards one figure.</p><p>These hyperpartisans will reject any fact or evidence that run contrary to the narrative favorable to their group, Arao said.</p><p>These fissures in Philippine politics are only expected to deepen as the country draws closer to its next presidential elections in 2028, he said.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/14/supreme-court-asked-to-compel-palace-to-disclose-marcos-true-health-status-1152">READ: Supreme Court asked to compel Palace to disclose Marcos’ ‘true’ health status</a></div><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/15/palace-asks-doj-to-investigate-3-fb-accounts-over-marcos-jr-health-rumors-1853">READ: Palace asks DOJ to investigate 3 FB accounts over Marcos Jr. health rumors</a></div>

<p>Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made international headlines after jogging and jumping across the Malacañang complex earlier this week — a move designed to debunk persistent claims that he has been suffering from an advanced stage of cancer and is on the brink of death.</p>

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made international headlines after jogging and jumping across the Malacañang complex earlier this week — a move designed to debunk persistent claims that he has been suffering from an advanced stage of cancer and is on the brink of death.

TIMELINE: The health controversy weaponized vs Marcos Jr.

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TIMELINE: The health controversy weaponized vs Marcos Jr.

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 15, 2026 11:57 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos health

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