The Supreme Court has directed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to comment within 10 days on a mandamus petition seeking disclosure of his medical exam results, including physical, mental, and hair follicle drug tests. Malacañang has vowed to comply with the order amid health rumors dismissed by officials.
In a full court session on April 22, the Supreme Court ordered President Marcos and Recto to file a comment within a non-extendible 10 days on the petition filed April 15 by former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Virgilio Garcia, Juan Raña, and Raymundo Junia.
The petitioners seek a court order compelling Marcos to release a medical report confirming his physical and mental fitness for presidential duties, citing his "bad – if not, worsening – state of physical and mental health" based on "disturbing behavior and impressions" in public appearances.
"The Court, without necessarily giving due course to the petition, directed respondents to comment within a non-extendible period of 10 days," the Supreme Court stated.
On April 23, Malacañang vowed compliance. "If that is the order of the Supreme Court, it would be done. A comment will be issued," Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.
Rumors of Marcos suffering a serious illness have circulated, but officials dismissed them as “fake news.” The president has called those claiming he is critically ill “liars” and “pure shenanigans,” recently facing the media, performing jumping jacks, and jogging within Malacañang.