MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was hospitalised Wednesday (Jan 21) evening due to diverticulitis, dismissed rumours of his death as “highly exaggerated” and told those eager to see him removed from office not to get too excited.
In a video statement released Thursday (Jan 22), following Palace Press Officer Claire Castro’s announcement of his hospitalisation, Marcos said he had been diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammation of the diverticula—small pockets in the colon.
The 68-year-old President also addressed people hoping to see him ousted.
“Don’t get too excited just yet because it’s not a life-threatening condition,” he said.
Marcos reassured the public there is no cause for concern regarding his health.
“Don’t worry. The rumours of my death are highly exaggerated,” he added.
According to Marcos, he is now feeling well, far better than when he was first hospitalised.
“I’m fine. I’m feeling very different from the way I was feeling before. The problem has been solved. What happened was I apparently now have diverticulitis,” he said.
“It’s a common complaint among, apparently, people who are heavily stressed and people who are, I have to admit, growing old,” he noted.
Marcos was scheduled to attend the awarding ceremony for The Outstanding Young Men 2025 at Malacañang on Thursday morning, but the Presidential Communications Office informed reporters Wednesday evening that Executive Secretary Ralph Recto would represent him at the event.
Additionally, he will no longer proceed with his scheduled visit to Ilocos Norte on Friday.
Impeachment raps vs Marcos
Also on Thursday, the coalition Bagong Alyansang Makabayan filed an impeachment complaint against Marcos—the second for the week.
However, the Office of the House Secretary General refused to accept the filing, as House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil is in Taipei to receive the Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon.
Earlier, on Monday, lawyer Andre de Jesus filed the first impeachment complaint against Marcos over his alleged involvement in a 2025 corruption scheme concerning unprogrammed appropriations, among other issues. Both complaints were dismissed by Malacañang. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
