Malacañang reporters reject claims of covering up Marcos' health
The Malacañang Press Corps (MPC), a group of journalists accredited by the government to cover presidential and Malacañang events, has pushed back against claims that they've been influenced or paid to cover up President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s health condition.
In a statement, the group strongly denied the allegations that they're allowing themselves to be used by Malacañang in reporting on the true state of the President’s health.
"Malinaw sa mga nakaraang ulat at mga video ng mga press briefing kung paanong inusisa ng aming mga kasapi ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan tungkol sa kalagayan ng Pangulo," they said.
"Naninindigan ang MPC sa katotohanan ng mga ulat na inilabas ng aming mga kasapi nitong nakaraang linggo. Kinokondena rin namin ang garapal na mga pagtatangkang sirain ang kredibilidad ng mga mamamahayag at iligaw ang ating mga kababayan para isulong ang interes ng ilan," they added.
The MPC asserted that the news reports they released were based on information gathered through direct questioning of people involved in the issue, or matters they personally witnessed. They went on to stress that they verify any information obtained to ensure that it is accurate and truthful before sharing it with the public.
"Hindi ito ginagawa ng mga content creator na ang tanging puhunan ay ang kanilang social media account, malikot na imahinasyon at kwestyonableng agenda," they said.
"Madaling magbintang. Madaling gumawa ng mga kwento. Madaling magkalat ng mga walang basehang tsismis. Hindi ito gawain ng mga responsableng mamamahayag," they continued. "Nakalulungkot isiping may mga naniniwala pa rin sa mga manlokokong lumalason sa isip ng ating mga kababayan, na aming pinagsisilbihan sa abot ng aming makakaya."
The MPC urged the public to remain critical amid the flurry of allegations on social media and to closely scrutinize where the information is coming from.
"Sa kabila ng mga paninira, patuloy kaming magtatanong, patuloy kaming magmamasid at patuloy mag-uulat ng patas tungkol sa mga hakbang at polisiya ng Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas," the group said.
"Marami mang pumipili sa mga kasinungalingang nais nilang paniwalaan, patuloy kaming papanig sa katotohanan at titindig para sa interes ng bayan, kahit sino pa ang maupo sa Malacañang," they ended.
The statement comes as speculation surrounding Marcos’ health gained traction online, with some fueling rumors that he has colon cancer after he was hospitalized in late January for diverticulitis.
However, in an interview with Palace press officer Claire Castro, Marcos assured the public that he was healthy.
"I'm struggling kasi ayoko na tumaba ulit, nawala na 'yung taba ko baka babalik. That's what I'm taking care of," he said. "Nagpapasalamat naman po ako sa mga nag-aalala sa akin."
"Huwag niyo pong masyadong sineseryoso, alam mo naman ang social media, palabiro 'yan eh. Wala po tayong problema," he added.
