Marcos on health: Do I look sick?

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos assured Filipinos on Wednesday that he is in the pink of health as he laughed off rumors claiming he was hospitalized.

The hashtag Nasaan ang Pangulo? (Where is the President?) trended on social media on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Enteng pounded many areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, triggering floods and landslides.

“Ba’t lagi nilang pinipilit ’yan? Andito ako (Why do they always insist on that? I’m here),” the President said when asked to comment on claims that he was sick and hospitalized.

Marcos was interviewed after presiding over a briefing on the effects of Enteng at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Asked about the state of his health, Marcos replied: “Do I look sick?”

He said many of his friends called him on Tuesday to check if he was OK.

“Kalokohan lang ’yan. That is nonsense,” Marcos said.

The President urged the public to be vigilant against false reports.

“That’s what we should be watchful of, those fake news. Don’t believe unless it comes from a credible source,” he said.

Marcos had no public events on Tuesday. However, he said he attended a command conference with “some of our generals” and spent the rest of the day reading briefs and doing paperwork.

“I was surprised when they said that there was... ano? (what?) Medical emergency,” the 66-year-old Chief Executive said.

“It’s totally and completely fake. I do not even have a cold. I do not have anything wrong with me. I’m fine. Thank you for your concern,” he said.