MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Thursday (Jan 22) that he’s recovering from a condition in the digestive system, and assured the public that it’s not life-threatening.
His office released a video where Marcos said he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammation of small pouches in the wall of the large intestine. He said his condition was common among people who are heavily stressed and who are ageing.
"It’s not a life-threatening condition,” the president said in the video while laughing. "The rumours of my death are highly exaggerated.”
Mild diverticulitis is usually treated with rest, changes in one’s diet and possibly antibiotics, according to Mayo Clinic. Surgery may be needed for a severe stage of the medical condition, it said.
Earlier in the day, his office said Marcos, 68, was advised by his doctors to rest, having spent the night under medical observation after experiencing discomfort. His condition remains stable after being observed and discharged from a private hospital, his office said.
"The President continued to carry out his responsibilities while under medical observation and has returned to Malacanang,” the statement from the leader’s office read, referring to the presidential palace.
Marcos, who took office in 2022, has been hit by three impeachment bids this week, underscoring growing political tensions in the South-East Asian nation even as the efforts may falter in a congress dominated by his allies. - Bloomberg
