Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not required to release his medical records, pushing back against calls for greater transparency over his health.
Claire Castro, Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office, said the President has already demonstrated his condition through recent public appearances.
“Wala pong kailangang gawin ang Pangulo (There is no need for the President to do that),” Castro said in a press briefing.
She cited jurisprudence from the Supreme Court of the Philippines, noting that a sitting president cannot be compelled to disclose medical records without sufficient basis.
“Hindi po kinakailangan at kailangang sapilatang magbigay ang isang pangulo ng kaniyang medical records (A president cannot be forced to disclose his medical records),” she said.
Castro added that claims about a president’s health must be supported by evidence.
“So, kung puro tsismis lang po ang pagbabasehan ninyo at guni-guni lamang at wala kayong anumang basehan, sa tingin po natin ang Supreme Court ay hindi naman po babaliktarin ang ganitong klaseng jurisprudence (If your basis is purely rumors and imagination without any evidence, we believe the Supreme Court will not overturn such jurisprudence),” she said.
She pointed to Marcos’ recent activities, including jogging within the Malacañang complex, as proof of his condition.
“Gusto lamang niyang ipakita… kung ano ba talaga ang kaniyang health condition (He just wants to show what his real health condition is),” she said.
Castro also responded to criticisms from former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who had called on the President to release his medical records.
“Mas maganda po na tumakbo ng ilang metro kaysa tumakbo sa kamay ng batas (It is better to run a few meters than run from the law),” she said.
She further dismissed a petition seeking to compel Marcos to undergo a drug test, saying such claims lack basis.
“Unless they can prove that there is serious illness, then there’s no need,” Castro said.