MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has temporarily scaled back his public engagements after being diagnosed with diverticulitis, with doctors advising him to take a week-long rest as he recovers, Malacañang officials said Wednesday.
The President was absent from the Gawad Lingkod Bayani awards on Wednesday and was represented instead by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, who said the medical advice was precautionary and routine.
“It’s only natural for the doctors to tell him to take a week rest,” Recto said in a chance interview. “Konting pahinga lang, just like any other normal individual.”
Recto said he personally experienced diverticulitis twice last year and required a week of downtime for each episode.
“So now, I am fully recovered. And I think in the next few weeks, the President will be fully recovered,” he said.
Despite limiting his public schedule, Recto said Marcos continues to work daily behind the scenes, holding private meetings and attending to official paperwork.
In a separate statement, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said the President “recently returned from medical care and is recovering from diverticulitis.”
“His medical team notes his steady progress,” Gomez said. “The President will continue to focus on critical duties but the Executive Secretary and other Cabinet members who are his alter ego may represent him at some engagements.”
Earlier, Malacañang said the President was in good condition but would temporarily limit his activities to private meetings.
Marcos was brought to the hospital last week after experiencing symptoms and was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammation of small pouches in the colon. The President has described the condition as “not a life-threatening condition.”
He has, however, missed several engagements outside Malacañang, including the opening of new kiosks at the Pasig River Esplanade and an education-related event in Ilocos Norte.
Malacañang has also dismissed as “fake news” reports claiming the President underwent surgery related to the condition./PN
