Palace shrugs off health rumors against BBM

Malacañang last week dismissed a surge of online rumors about the health of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., saying he remains focused on addressing the country’s energy crisis despite what officials described as a coordinated disinformation campaign.

Dave Gomez, acting secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), said the agency’s Anti-Fake News Desk has detected a “sudden and coordinated surge” of false claims circulating across social media platforms.

“We are in a state of energy emergency. The President will not be distracted by this noise,” Gomez said in a statement.

“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,” he added.

The Philippines earlier declared a national energy emergency following global supply disruptions tied to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have driven up fuel prices and raised concerns over supply stability.

Gomez said the spread of false information has even reached some traditional media channels, prompting the PCO to begin documenting posts and identifying those responsible.

“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,” he said.

He added that authorities are working to uncover the networks behind the disinformation campaign and are preparing to file charges once sufficient evidence is gathered.

“We will identify the perpetrators, trace their networks, and file the proper charges in court,” he said.

Gomez also cast doubt on the timing of the campaign, suggesting it was intended to disrupt the administration’s efforts.

“The timing is suspect… The motive is clear: distract and destabilize our government,” he said.

Earlier, Marcos brushed aside speculation about his health, saying he had already returned to his “normal routine” months after recovering from diverticulitis in January.