FALSE. A viral Facebook post claims that Palace press officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has “may taning na ang buhay” (does not have long to live) due to a life-threatening condition.
FACT. There is no verifiable record of Castro making this statement. President Marcos has been repeatedly reported in good health and was recovering well after a medical observation for diverticulitis.
The post features a photo collage of Marcos in a hospital bed alongside Castro at a press briefing, with text implying a quote from Castro and a caption suggesting public outrage. The claim is false and was created to mislead viewers.
The Palace has consistently confirmed that the President’s condition is not life-threatening. On January 22, Marcos himself addressed the rumors, calling them “highly exaggerated.” Castro reiterated on January 28 that a medical bulletin was unnecessary since the President had already reassured the public.
Official statements and documentation, including a press briefing transcript, confirm that the viral post misrepresents both Castro’s words and Marcos’ health status. The Palace condemned the circulation of falsified medical records and stressed that the President continues to perform his duties without any life-threatening restrictions.
Observers note that such posts exploit visuals of hospital visits to create misleading narratives, feeding public misinformation and unnecessary alarm.
