MANILA — A petition filed before the Supreme Court is seeking to compel Malacañang to publicly release regular medical bulletins on the health condition of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing constitutional provisions on transparency amid circulating claims about his condition.
In a petition for mandamus filed on April 10, a group of retired military officials and private individuals urged key Palace offices to disclose the President’s “true” physical and mental health status through official updates.
The petitioners, which include retired generals Romeo Poquiz and Carlos Quita, named as respondents the Office of the Executive Secretary, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez, and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
They anchored their petition on Section 12, Article VII of the Constitution, which requires that the public be informed in the event of a serious illness of the President.
The group pointed to circulating claims on social media and alleged eyewitness accounts suggesting that Marcos had been hospitalized earlier this month, as well as remarks from Senator Imee Marcos expressing concern over the President’s condition.
“We the people have a constitutional right to be informed of the state of his health (including physical and mental condition of the President) particularly when such condition may impair his ability to discharge official duties,” the petitioners said.
Aside from seeking regular health disclosures, the group also asked the high court to direct the President to undergo a hair follicle drug test and make the results public, arguing that such a measure would help ensure his fitness for office.
Malacañang has repeatedly denied rumors about Marcos’ health, noting that the President has recently been seen engaging in physical activities, including jogging and exercising with members of the media, in an apparent effort to dispel speculation about his condition./PN
