MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday reassured the public that there is no cause for concern over President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s health following his diagnosis with diverticulitis.

Since the diagnosis, Marcos has missed several major events, with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto representing him at public engagements. Recto recently stood in for the president during the awarding of the 2025 Gawad Lingkod Bayani.

“Nothing to worry about,” Recto said in a video made available to reporters, noting that doctors advised the president to take a week’s rest. Recto added that he himself experienced diverticulitis last year and fully recovered, and he expects Marcos to recover similarly in the coming weeks.

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said the president will continue to focus on critical duties, while the Executive Secretary and other Cabinet members may represent him at some engagements.

Some reporters received anonymous messages claiming Marcos’ health had rapidly deteriorated and that he could no longer perform his duties. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed the reports as untrue.

“Kung unknown number iyan eh ‘di unknown din ang source niyan. So, kung unknown ang source niyan, so, malamang gumagawa ang kuwento iyan. So, huwag nating paniwalaan ang mga kumakalat sa social media nang hindi verified at walang ibang source,” Castro said.

Marcos has largely limited public appearances to photo and video releases since his diagnosis, and the Palace maintains that he is recovering well.