BBM on health: I’m OK

National

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has assured the public that he is in good condition amid rumors about his health.

The President said he is “ok” while continuing medication for diverticulitis.

In a video message released by Malacañang on Wednesday, Jan. 28, the President said he is taking prescribed antibiotics and remains able to carry out his duties.

The video, which showed Marcos playing with his dog Oreo, was shared with Palace reporters by Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.

“I was just prescribed medication and I continue to take antibiotics, but I’m ok”, Marcos said in Filipino per a report by Philstar.

The 68-year-old President said he was able to preside over a two-hour meeting of the Economy and Development Council at Malacañang on Monday and has continued to attend meetings. He added that he had more meetings scheduled in the coming days.

Marcos also shared that his doctors had initially advised him to rest and limit his diet to soft foods, such as soup, to avoid stressing his intestines. He joked that he even dreamed of eating steak during the restriction. He said he has since been allowed to eat normally and had already eaten a hamburger.

The President said his doctors examined him at Malacañang on Wednesday and expressed gratitude for the public’s concern and prayers.

“I got the best possible medical care that I can have,” he said. Earlier, Castro said the President does not have any serious illness and continues to work inside Malacañang.

She added that there is no need to issue a medical bulletin, noting that such advisories are released only in cases of serious illness.

“If the President himself said it is not life-threatening, then why would there be a need for a medical bulletin?” Castro said, adding that the Palace has been transparent about the President’s condition.

Marcos skipped the conferment of the 2025 Gawad Lingkod Bayani, the country’s highest honor for outstanding government workers, at Malacañang on Wednesday morning.

He was represented by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. However, the President later attended the oath-taking and donning of four-star rank of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., also held at the Palace.(Georgia Olivar, USJ-R Comm Intern)