Doctors to Marcos: Slow down

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos’ activities remained limited to private meetings yesterday even as Malacañang maintained he was in “good condition” days after undergoing observation in a hospital for stomach “discomfort.”

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos, who underwent observation at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City Wednesday after experiencing stomach pain, has been advised by doctors to slow down a little.

“Private meetings here for now. He is in good condition and this may be a way to heed the order of his doctor to slow down a bit. But even if he was advised by his doctor, his private meetings here in the Palace pushed through,” Castro told reporters yesterday.

In a video released by the Presidential Communications Office the following day, Marcos said the discomfort was caused by diverticulitis, an inflammation in the large intestine that causes abdominal pain. He gave assurance that his condition is not life-threatening and told his critics not to be “too excited.”

Because of his condition, Marcos skipped two public events, namely the awarding ceremony for The Outstanding Young Men 2025 last Thursday and the inauguration of the Laoag International Airport Passenger Terminal Building on Friday.