Vlogger probed, 2 online personalities face raps over ‘fake' Marcos medical records

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday said it is reviewing the sworn statement submitted by a vlogger accused of circulating fake and unauthorized medical records of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

NBI Director Lito Magno confirmed that vlogger Jack Argota appeared before the agency in compliance with a subpoena and submitted a statement that is now under evaluation.

“He honored the subpoena issued to him. Nagbigay naman siya ng statement. Under investigation pa naman yun (He gave his statement and the case is under investigation),” Magno told reporters.

Argota was summoned by the NBI Cybercrime Division after allegedly circulating a fabricated medical certificate concerning the President’s health.

NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari said Argota was initially scheduled to appear on 13 February but requested a reset through email.

The issue stemmed from a medical certificate that circulated on social media earlier this year, which Malacañang described as “fabricated and malicious.”

In January, St. Luke’s Medical Center denied the authenticity of supposed abnormal CT scan results attributed to the President, who had previously been diagnosed with diverticulitis.

The NBI earlier filed cyberlibel complaints against former broadcaster Jay Sonza and social media personality Jeffrey Celiz for allegedly spreading false medical information about Marcos.

The bureau said screenshots of online posts and monitored YouTube videos showed the use of unverified medical reports to question the President’s fitness to govern.

It has recommended to the Department of Justice the filing of complaints for cyberlibel and violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes the unlawful publication of false news.

Magno clarified that while the complaint against Sonza and Celiz has already been filed before the prosecutor’s office, Argota’s case is being handled separately.

“Initially, na file na natin yung kaso before the prosecutors' office at nandun na yun at tinitingnan pa rin since this is a separate investigation,” he said.

The NBI chief also urged the public to exercise caution when sharing information online, warning that spreading unverified claims may violate the Cybercrime Prevention Act.