FACT CHECK: Post claiming Marcos has stage 4 colon cancer is fake

Claim: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, as confirmed by Malacañang.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The post containing the claim was uploaded on April 5 and has since garnered over 5,000 reactions, 2,600 comments, and 2,900 shares.

The post uses the logos of GMA Integrated News, ABS-CBN News, and TV5 to mimic a “breaking news” graphic.

Text on the post reads, “Diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer” and “Malacañang confirms the president is undergoing treatment and is in the care of a team of medical specialists.”

The Facebook page “Sara Duterte for President,” which has over 6,700 followers, shared the post. The page has consistently uploaded claims targeting Marcos and critics of the Duterte family.

The facts: Malacañang has previously debunked claims that Marcos was diagnosed with colon cancer. On April 8, the President assured the public that he is in good health and that he has been back to his “regular routine” since being hospitalized and diagnosed with diverticulitis in January.

“I am thankful to those who are concerned about me,” Marcos said. “I’ve been back to my regular routine for the last… going on three months now.”

The President also denied rumors spreading online about his health.

“Please do not take it too seriously. You know how social media is? It’s full of jokes,” Marcos added.

There are also no news reports or social media news graphics from GMA Integrated News, ABS-CBN News, or TV5 containing the information shown in the misleading post.

Coordinated attacks: Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez warned that the recent surge of disinformation about Marcos’ supposed illness is a coordinated tactic meant to destabilize the government.

“The timing is suspect. Why the sudden surge at this time? Why resort to outright lies? Why the desperation? Regardless, the motive is clear: distract and destabilize our government,” he said.

Gomez said the President remains focused on concerns related to the ongoing crisis caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, which has heavily shaken the local economy.

He added, “We are in a state of energy emergency. The President will not be distracted by this noise. The President remains laser-focused on one mission: solving our energy emergency and delivering real, tangible help to every Filipino family, improving their lives, and strengthening our economy.”

In response to the surge of disinformation, Malacañang announced that the PCO will launch a website for the public to report false posts they encounter online.

During a press briefing on April 9, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government will not allow fake news peddlers to spread posts aimed at discrediting Marcos.

“The PCO will create a website or a platform where you can report the purveyors of fake news. We will not tolerate it, and all of them should be prosecuted,” Castro said.

Debunked: Rappler has previously debunked similar claims regarding Marcos’ health:

• FACT CHECK: Marcos does not have cancer, says Palace
• FACT CHECK: Circulating Marcos ‘medical report’ is fake
• FACT CHECK: Marcos did not say cocaine use led to diverticulitis diagnosis
• FACT CHECK: No reports of Marcos rushed to hospital due to medical emergency
• FACT CHECK: Photo of Marcos in hospital bed is AI-generated

– Reinnard Balonzo/Rappler.com 

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at [email protected]. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.