MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public that he remains in good health and capable of performing his duties, saying his recent medical condition is neither serious nor life-threatening.

In a video statement, Marcos said he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, which he described as a common condition among older people.

“I’m fine. I’m feeling very different from the way I was feeling before. Naayos na ‘yung problema,” the President said.

He added that the condition was identified during medical checks following discomfort he experienced.

“What happened was apparently, I now have diverticulitis. It’s a common complaint amongst apparently people who are heavily stressed, and people (who) are – I have to admit – growing old,” Marcos said during a brief conversation with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

Earlier in the day, Malacañang said the President spent the night under medical observation as a precautionary measure after experiencing discomfort. The Palace said his condition remained stable and that he has since returned to Malacañang to continue carrying out his duties.

When asked by Castro if doctors advised him to slow down from work, Marcos said, “Well, yeah, of course, lagi naman sinasabi ng doktor sa akin ‘yun. Pero papaano mo naman gagawin ‘yun ang daming trabaho?”

The President also dismissed speculation about his health, saying there was no reason for concern.

“It’s not a life-threatening condition… Huwag kayong mag-alala. The rumors of my death are highly exaggerated,” he said.