The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is preparing charges against individuals who have been spreading “fake news” about President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s health, and allegedly diverting public attention to the nation’s state of energy emergency.
In a Wednesday report by RH 14 Leth Narciso, PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said the agency is gathering evidence against “fake news peddlers” on social media. The case is set to be filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) by next week, Gomez said.
“The Presidential Communications Office is tracking and documenting every post, every comment, and every lie. Each one is a piece of evidence we can use in court,” Gomez said in a statement released on Thursday.
“We will identify the perpetrators, trace their networks, and file the proper charges in court once the evidence is complete hopefully by next week,” he added.
The Palace has repeatedly assured that Marcos is in good health and continues to perform his duties.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the President now carefully considers his diet to avoid any more health issues, as when he was briefly hospitalized in January and diagnosed with diverticulitis.
Gomez described the timing of this reported “sudden and coordinated surge” in disinformation regarding Marcos’ health as suspicious, adding that it appeared to be aimed at undermining the government’s stability.
“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,” the PCO secretary said.
“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 added.
Diverticulitis is characterized by a non-life-threatening but painful inflammation of the colon. Marcos explained in a video released earlier by the PCO that it was a common complaint among older individuals who are often stressed.
“It’s a common complaint amongst the apparently, people who are heavily stressed, and people I have to admit, growing old,” he said.
