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Bella Cariaso - The Philippine Star
April 10, 2026 | 12:00am
Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
KJ Rosales, File
MANILA, Philippines — “Good luck to him,” was the message Vice President Sara Duterte would like to relay to President Marcos as rumors swirled online about his supposed serious illness.
Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said Malacañang intends to pursue charges against those who peddled disinformation online that Marcos has been hospitalized for complications of stage four colon cancer and that there is cover-up by mainstream media.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro maintained that Marcos is in good health.
In January, Marcos underwent medical observation at St. Luke’s Medical Center after experiencing discomfort, later found to be tied to diverticulitis, an inflammation in the large intestine that causes abdominal pain.
The President had repeatedly denied speculations that his condition had worsened, even telling his critics not to be “too excited” because his condition is not life-threatening.
On Tuesday, the Presidential Communications Office asked the DOJ to investigate at least three online posts that made false claims about supposed energy lockdowns.
Gomez noted that the publication of false news is punishable by up to six months imprisonment under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code. The act carries stiffer penalties if committed online under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Gomez said the “coordinated” efforts to spread “outright lies” about President Marcos’ health were meant to destabilize the government.
But according to Duterte lawyer Paolo Panelo, the PCO is engaging in “witch hunt” in its effort to go after spreaders of disinformation about the President.
“PCO completely misses the point. Instead of wasting scarce government resources on a witch hunt for supposed fake news peddlers about PBBM’s health — which they themselves admit does not distract him — they should ask themselves why many Filipinos now trust content creators more than Malacañang’s spokespersons; and why even some — against our naturally kindhearted nature, are actually hoping the rumors are true,” Panelo told The STAR. – Alexis Romero
