Overview
- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did jumping jacks and a brief jog in front of reporters to show he is fit and to knock down talk of serious illness.
- He told journalists he is healthy, challenged critics to work out with him, and said claims that he is sick or paralyzed are lies.
- He said his most recent hospital visit was more than two months ago for a CT scan to check his recovery from diverticulitis, which he said had cleared.
- He added that he takes maintenance medicine for gout and high blood pressure and that his diet and exercise routines are back to normal.
- The presidential palace said a coordinated wave of social media disinformation fueled the rumors, which took off after his January hospital trip, as his government also grapples with economic strain tied to the Middle East war and tensions with Vice-President Sara Duterte.