President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will comply with the Supreme Court’s directive to respond to a petition seeking disclosure of his medical records, including a request for a drug test, within the prescribed deadline.
The Supreme Court en banc earlier directed Marcos and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to file a response within 10 days to a petition for mandamus filed by former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and others.
The petition seeks to compel the President to undergo physical and mental health examinations, including a hair follicle drug test, and to make the results public.
Malacañang on Thursday confirmed the President will submit a formal comment as ordered by the High Court.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the directive would be followed.
“Kung utos po ng Supreme Court iyan ay gagampanan po, gagawa po ng comment,” she said during a press briefing.
Malacañang has maintained that there is no legal basis requiring the President to disclose his medical records, amid circulating rumors about his health.
Marcos has addressed these concerns by appearing in public and engaging in physical activities such as jogging and light exercise, while assuring Filipinos that he is in good condition.
He has also said he takes maintenance medication for gout and high blood pressure and is not undergoing treatment for any serious illness.
Earlier this year, the President was briefly hospitalized at St. Luke’s Medical Center for diverticulitis.