‘Not true,’ Palace says on claims PBBM diagnosed with colon cancer

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

BUSINESS AS USUAL. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. resumes public engagements on Thursday (Feb. 5, 2026), leading the launch of the TESDA Skills Passport Mobile Application at the Makabagong San Juan Theater in San Juan City. This marks the President’s first public appearance since his Jan. 21 diagnosis of diverticulitis, which limited him to meetings and paperwork inside Malacañang for almost two weeks. (Photo: Presidential Communications Office/Facebook)

MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed rumors that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been diagnosed with colon cancer.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro slammed the claim about Marcos’ health, describing it as a blatant lie and a mere distraction.

“‘Yun na nga po ang masama kasi mga rumors, mga tsismis, walang katotohanan na nakakapanira sa gobyerno, nakakapanira sa Pangulo na nakakaapekto sa ekonomiya (What’s bad about this is that rumors and lies which can damaging to the government, the President and affect the economy),” Castro told reporters.

Castro’s statement came after former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque posted a photo of Marcos, insinuating that the President appeared to have a colostomy bag during a recent public engagement.

Castro denied the claim, calling Roque a “fake news peddler.”

“Nakita naman po natin ang video, iyong kabuuan kung saan itinaas pa po mismo ng Pangulo ang kanyang mga kamay habang siya ay kumakaway sa ating mga kababayan (We have seen the full video where the President himself even raised his hands while waving to our fellow citizens),” she said.

“At kitang-kita po na ang sinasabing larawan o ipinakitang larawan ni Harry Roque ay pawang kasinungalingan lamang (It is very clear that the supposed photo being cited or shown by Harry Roque is nothing but a lie),” Castro added.

She urged the public not to believe such claims.

“Huwag na po tayong maniwala at nakikiusap po tayo. Huwag na po natin dalhin sa anumang usapan ang mga fake news peddlers katulad nila (We appeal to everyone: Let us not believe this and let us not include fake news peddlers like them in any discussion),” Castro added.

Marcos earlier took a brief rest from public engagements and opted to hold private meetings after being diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammation of small pouches in the colon.

He has since resumed his normal schedule, attending public events.