President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said he is recovering from diverticulitis and assured the public that his condition is not life-threatening.
“I’m fine. I’m feeling very, very different from the way I was feeling before. The problem was fixed,” Mr. Marcos told Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro in a video clip released by Malacañang.
The President said doctors diagnosed him with diverticulitis, a common inflammatory condition of the digestive tract, which he linked to stress and age.
“What happened was I apparently now have diverticulitis. It’s a common complaint, apparently, among people who are heavily stressed and people who are, I must admit, growing old,” he said.
Asked whether doctors advised him to slow down his work schedule, Marcos acknowledged repeated reminders to rest but said the demands of the presidency make that difficult.
“Well, yes, of course, that’s what the doctor has been telling me. But how would I do that? There is so much work,” he said.
He also addressed rumors about his health, stressing there was no cause for alarm. Charles Dantes
“Don’t get too excited because it’s not a life-threatening condition,” he said.
“Don’t worry. The rumors of my death are highly exaggerated,” he added.
Earlier, Malacañang said the President spent Wednesday night under medical observation after experiencing discomfort. In a statement read by Castro, the Palace said Marcos’ doctors advised rest and continued monitoring as a precaution.
Despite this, Castro said the President continued to perform his official duties and has since returned to Malacañang.
