PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured the public that he is in good health after spending a night in the hospital, dismissing rumors about his condition as “highly exaggerated.”

In a video statement released by Malacañang on Thursday, Jan. 22, Marcos said he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammation of small pockets in the colon, stressing that the ailment is not life-threatening.

“Don’t get too excited just yet because it’s not a life-threatening condition,” the 68-year-old President said, addressing speculation and political rumors surrounding his hospitalization.

Marcos added that he is now feeling significantly better following treatment. “I’m fine. I’m feeling very different from the way I was feeling before; the problem was fixed,” he said.

The President described the illness as a common condition, particularly among people experiencing stress and those growing older.

Due to his hospitalization, Marcos was unable to attend the awarding ceremony for The Outstanding Young Men 2025 at Malacañang on Thursday morning, a report by Inquirer.net said.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto represented him at the event. Palace officials also announced that the President would no longer proceed with his scheduled visit to Ilocos Norte on Friday.

The President’s health has long been a subject of public interest, especially because he previously donated one of his kidneys to his late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

In the past, Malacañang has cited this medical history to counter allegations about Marcos’ health and lifestyle.(Georgia Olivar, USJ-R Comm Intern)

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• #Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
• #President Marcos
• #health update
• #diverticulitis
• #colon inflammation
• #hospitalization
• #not life-threatening
• #Malacañang statement
• #Jan. 22 2026
• #political rumors
• #public reassurance
• #Executive Secretary Ralph Recto
• #canceled trip
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