Malacañang Palace on Thursday confirmed that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was brought to a hospital in Quezon City after experiencing stomach discomfort.
"Yes, the President was observed at St. Luke’s Medical Center–QC. He has been discharged and is back in Malacañang," Palace press briefer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters in a Viber message.
The cause of the discomfort was not officially disclosed. However, sources from St. Luke’s said the President suffered from diverticulitis, an inflammation of small bulging pouches in the wall of the large intestine.
Earlier, Castro said during a Palace briefing that the President spent the night under medical observation as a precautionary measure after experiencing discomfort.
“His doctors advised rest and monitoring, and his condition remains stable. The President continued to carry out his responsibilities while under medical observation and has returned to Malacañang,” she told reporters.
Castro said it was important that the public be informed about the President’s condition.
“Ang importante po dito, at dapat nating maipaalam sa ating mga kababayan, na siya po ngayon ay muling nagtatrabaho at nasa Malacañan. Siya po ay nasa maayos na kalagayan at mamayang hapon ay magkakaroon pa po siya ng dalawang pribadong meetings,” Castro said.
She added that Palace officials would monitor whether the President would be able to attend his scheduled activities on Friday.
“At tingnan po natin kung bukas, dahil meron po siyang event. Kung maa-advise siya ng doktor na okay naman po siya, malamang po ay makikita rin agad natin ang Pangulo,” she said.
Castro said the public need not worry about the President’s health.
“Kailangan lang din po namin masabi sa inyo kung ano po yung naranasan ng Pangulo kagabi. Dahil kahit noong madaling araw po ay nagtatrabaho po ang Pangulo. Malamang po ang naranasan niya ay sobrang pagod sa pagtatrabaho,” she said.
“Pero dahil sinabi naman po ng doktor na ayos siya at maganda naman ang kanyang kalusugan, siya po ay nasa Malacanan at muli magtatrabaho maya-maya lamang po,” Castro added.
Sources said Marcos began experiencing discomfort on Wednesday morning, during the “Parangal at Pasasalamat sa mga Bayaning Atleta: A Homecoming Celebration for the 33rd SEA Games Athletes” at the Foro de Intramuros in Manila.
The President later flew to Cotabato City to attend the 7th Bangsamoro Foundation Day at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex.