Marcos 'moves forward' after health scare, Malacañang says

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is ready to “move forward” following the health issue he experienced last week, Malacañang said Friday.

In a press briefing with the Malacañang Press Corps on Friday afternoon, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President already met with his economic team earlier in the day and attended three major engagements on Thursday.

Castro said Marcos urged the economic team to also move forward, particularly in accelerating the construction of classrooms and infrastructure-related projects.

She described the President’s schedule on Thursday, 29 January, as “hectic,” noting that he led three major events, including the farewell call of United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, the ceremonial turnover of the EDCOM II Final Report, and the National Education and Workforce Development Plan.

Marcos also presided over the ceremonial handover of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Advisory Council chairship for 2026.

“It seems that the President's vocabulary does not have the word rest, this is contrary to the advice of his doctor,” Castro said.

“According to the President, he cannot wait for his sworn duty to the Filipinos and for the country,” she added.

Diverticulitis diagnosis

Castro earlier disclosed that Marcos was rushed to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City last week after experiencing discomfort.

Doctors later diagnosed the President with diverticulitis, an inflammation of pouches in the colon, prompting him to consume only soft foods to ease his condition.

Marcos has since assured the public that he is recovering well, posting two videos on Facebook to address concerns about his health.

Castro also noted that fabricated documents and false information, including a fake medical document regarding the President’s condition, circulated online following the incident.