FACT CHECK: Rumors of deteriorating health not true, says Marcos

Claim: President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s health is deteriorating, raising the possibility that Vice President Sara Duterte will replace him.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video containing the claim has 8,700 views, 671 likes, and 56 comments as of writing. It was uploaded to a channel claiming to be a news outlet, which has 170,000 subscribers.

The video’s title states: “Jusko po! Biglaan ’to! BBM kumpirmado na! Tunay na kalagayan ng kalusugan, lumalala na ba? 

(Oh my God! This is sudden! BBM, confirmed! Is his health getting worse?)

The thumbnail image also shows Marcos seemingly hospitalized with the text “Health condition lumalala na (worsening)?”

The facts: Malacañang has dismissed these circulating narratives as false, including earlier rumors about Marcos’ supposed severe illness. 

In a press briefing on April 13, Marcos himself addressed claims that he was ill, saying he was in good health.

“I challenge anyone who are saying that I am sick, that they come and exercise with me. We will see who is stronger. You come to the gym with me. Tingnan natin kung sino mas malakas magbuhat ng weight (We’ll see who can lift more weights),” he said. (READ: Me, sick? Come to the gym with me, Marcos challenges detractors)

The Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) has also pushed back against claims that its members are being paid to cover up the President’s true health condition. In a statement, the MPC said that, unlike unverified online content, its reports on the President’s condition are grounded in verified information and not driven by speculation or “imagination.”

There are likewise no credible or verified reports from Philippine news organizations supporting claims that the President is incapacitated. In fact, Marcos remains active and visible in public and online. In a recent Facebook post, he shared that he had taken his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, out for a quiet dinner and described a brief interaction during the outing — mentioning that they met a mother and daughter who approached them for a quick greeting and short conversation. 

Disinformation surge: False claims about Marcos’ health have escalated online alongside attacks on mainstream media, in what Malacañang and analysts describe as a coordinated disinformation campaign.

In an article by ABS-CBN News, disinformation researcher Nikko Balbedina of PressOnePH said the disinformation narratives are two-pronged: alleging the President has a serious illness while also accusing journalists and government photojournalists of fabricating or manipulating images to hide his condition.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez called the disinformation surge “sudden” and “coordinated,” saying it aims to destabilize the government while the administration deals with issues including an energy emergency.

“The timing is suspect. Why the sudden surge at this time? Why resort to outright lies? Why the desperation? Regardless, the motive is clear. Distract and destabilize our government,” Gomez said.

The President has previously reiterated that his diverticulitis diagnosis in January was not life-threatening and that he has since returned to normal duties. – Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com

Marjuice Destinado is a senior political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU) and an alumna of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2025.

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