By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed the claims that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has colon cancer.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro slammed former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s social media post about Marcos Jr. appearing to have a colostomy bag.
“Ayun na nga po ang masama, kasi mga rumors, mga tsismis, walang katotohanan na nakakapanira sa gobyerno, nakakapanira sa Pangulo na nakakaapekto sa ekonomiya. Kung manggagaling lamang po din kay Harry Roque na masasabi na nating isang fake news peddler,” Castro said.
“Nakita naman po natin ang video, iyong kabuuan kung saan itinaas pa po mismo ng Pangulo ang kaniyang mga kamay habang siya’y kumakaway sa ating mga kababayan at kitang-kita po na ang sinasabing larawan or ipinakitang larawan ni Harry Roque ay pawang kasinungalingan lamang,” she added.
In January, Marcos Jr. was not able to attend several public engagements after being diagnosed with diverticulitis—prompting rumors on his health condition. The President himself belied these rumors, noting that he remains fit to perform his duties.
On junking of impeachment raps vs. PBBM
Meanwhile, Malacañang welcomed the adoption of House Resolution No. 746 and approval of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations contained in Committee Report 111 of the House Committee on Justice, which officially dismisses the two impeachment complaints against the President.
The House, sitting in plenary, voted 284-8 with four abstentions.
“Sorry na lang po kasi lumabas po ang katotohanan,” Castro said.
“Makikita naman po nila, hindi lamang po ang 284 na members ng House of Representatives ang nagbasura ng impeachment complaints na isinampa laban kay Pangulong Marcos Jr. kung hindi iyong ibang mga eksperto pa, mga legal experts, constitutionalists na nagsasabing walang basehan ang isinampang impeachment complaints laban sa ating Pangulo,” she added.
In a previous statement, the Palace Press Officer emphasized that while Marcos Jr. expressed elation over the junking of the impeachment raps against him, he is more focused on doing his work.
“Ang nais ng Pangulo ay sumulong at magtuloy-tuloy sa trabaho. Nakatuon siya sa pagsasagawa ng mga programang pang-ekonomiya na mag-aangat sa buhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Castro said. (with report from Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
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