FACT CHECK: No reports of Marcos in critical condition at the hospital

Claim: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been hospitalized and is in critical condition because of illegal drug use. 

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The video containing the claim was uploaded on May 5 and has since garnered over 30,300 views, 2,900 likes, and 250 comments.

The video’s thumbnail claims: “Kritikal dahil sa droga? Confirm dinala sa hospital. Hair follicle drug test, Supreme Court nag mamadali na.” 

(In critical condition due to drugs? [Marcos was] confirmed to have been taken to the hospital. The Supreme Court is now rushing to order a hair follicle drug test.)

The narrator also said: “Marcos Jr., na-hospital o nagiging kritikal ang kaniyang kondisyon dahil sa sobra-sobrang pagdodroga… sinabi po ni Senator Imee Marcos na itong si Marcos Jr. ay in and out na ng hospital. ‘Pag ganong labas pasok ka sa hospital, maituturing na talaga kritikal ang kondisyon mo.”

(Marcos Jr. is being hospitalized or is in critical condition due to excessive drug use… Senator Imee Marcos said that Marcos Jr. has been in and out of the hospital. When someone is frequently hospitalized like that, their condition can truly be considered critical.)

The YouTube channel “Jay Guevarra TV” has over 504,000 followers and consistently posts anti-Marcos and pro-Duterte content.

The facts: Malacañang has consistently debunked claims that Marcos is in critical condition. In a press briefing on April 13, Marcos himself brushed off rumors that he was ill, asserting that he is in good health.

The President has made several public appearances over the past week. On May 6, he led a situation briefing on the impact of Mayon Volcano’s unrest, ordering the immediate distribution of aid to affected residents in Albay. Marcos also visited several cities in Metro Manila for the launch of the social program, “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang,” which provides rice to indigent and vulnerable households.

Rumors of Marcos’ deteriorating health have circulated online in recent weeks. In April, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said there was no basis for the release of a medical bulletin on the President’s health, noting that a sitting President cannot be compelled to disclose medical records without substantiated claims.

While the Palace previously confirmed Marcos was hospitalized back in January — stating that he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, which Marcos described as a common complaint of people who are “heavily stressed”— officials assured the public that this condition was not life-threatening.

Illegal drug use allegations: Rumors of Marcos’ alleged drug use, which the President has denied, have surfaced repeatedly over the years. In November 2025, Senator Imee Marcos previously accused her brother, along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and her nephews, of drug addiction.

During an Iglesia ni Cristo rally in Manila, the senator called on her brother to “come home” and seek treatment.

“Hinihingi ko na tayo ay umuwi na. Mamahinga. Alang-alang sa iyong kalusugan. Kaya kong mabigo at mawala sa ’yo ang posisyon pero hindi ko kayang mawala ka sa amin. Ayusin mo ang sarili mo. Magpagamot. Alisin ang droga sa iyong sistema,” she said.

(I’m asking that we go home now. Rest, for the sake of your health. I can bear it if you fail and lose your position, but I cannot bear to lose you. Take care of yourself. Get treatment. Rid your system of drugs.)

In 2024, former president Rodrigo Duterte also accused Marcos of being a drug addict.

Debunked: Rappler has previously debunked similar claims regarding Marcos’ health and alleged use of illegal drugs: 

• FACT CHECK: Marcos did not say cocaine use led to diverticulitis diagnosis
• FACT CHECK: No reports of Marcos rushed to hospital due to medical emergency
• FACT CHECK: No Supreme Court-led raid, drug-related arrests in Malacañang
• FACT CHECK: Circulating Marcos ‘medical report’ is fake
• FACT CHECK: Photo of Marcos in hospital bed is AI-generated

– Reinnard Balonzo/Rappler.com 

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