Don’t be too excited simply but 

The Philippine president borrows a quote from Mark Twain, after he stays in a single day in a hospital for diverticulitis: ‘The rumors of my loss of life are extremely exaggerated’

A day earlier than the second and third impeachment complaints in opposition to him had been filed (or a minimum of makes an attempt had been made) earlier than the Home of Representatives, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. apprently had larger, and extra painful issues occupying his thoughts: diverticulitis, which usually causes belly ache, and both constipation or diarrhea. 

“What occurred was I apparently, and I now have diverticulitis. It’s a typical grievance amongst apparently people who find themselves closely careworn and individuals are — I’ve to confess — rising outdated,” mentioned Marcos in an “interview” with Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro. The transcript was later launched to the media. 

Marcos spent the night time on the St. Luke’s Medical Heart in Quezon Metropolis Wednesday night, January 21, as a “precautionary measure after experiencing discomfort.” He has since returned to Malacañang and was in non-public conferences on January 22, in line with Castro. 

However the coincidence — of hospitalization, irrespective of how fast, and simply as impeachment complaints got here pouring in — was not misplaced on many. 

“Huwag kayo muna masyadong excited dahil it’s not a life-threatening situation (Don’t be too excited but as a result of this isn’t a life-threatening situation),” mentioned Marcos, when requested if he had a message to those that need him out of energy. 

Diverticulitis, in line with the Mayo Clinic, is when irregular bulging pouches within the wall of the big gut change into infected. The norm is for the partitions of the big gut to be clean. Whereas most individuals will probably develop diverticula (these pouches within the partitions of the big gut), not everybody will get signs. 

The formation of diverticula turns into “frequent” after age 50, the Mayo Clinic additionally famous. The Philippine president is 68. 

The primary impeachment grievance was filed in opposition to Marcos on January 19 — curiously endorsed by a lawmaker who had additionally signed the impeachment case in opposition to the President’s erstwhile ally, Vice President Sara Duterte.

That grievance, nonetheless, has been characterised as flimsy and may very well be to his benefit as a result of if it’s tackled after which rejected, he’d be shielded from impeachment for a complete yr. 

The second and third complaints, whereas introduced earlier than the Home, had been supposedly not thought of formally filed since Home Secretary Normal Cheloy Garafil was overseas. Garafil was as soon as Marcos’ communications chief and has lengthy been a detailed aide to the Marcos household. 

Marcos, typically described as laid again and chill — typically to his personal detriment — mentioned there was no purpose to fret about his well being.  

He even borrowed a line from Mark Twain: “The rumors of my loss of life are extremely exaggerated.” 

Marcos has had two different documented well being episodes as president — in early July 2022 or simply weeks into his presidency, when he caught COVID-19. He was contaminated once more in late 2023. 

Earlier than being elected president in 2022, Marcos had a way more severe brush with COVID-19. In an April 2020 vlog (Marcos’ “profession” after a 2016 vice presidential race loss and earlier than successful the presidency), he slammed those that unfold rumors that he had died. 

After which, in fact, there’s that long-running city legend that the “actual” Marcos is lengthy lifeless, and {that a} “clone” had since changed him. Marcos himself had addressed these rumors in a 2012 interview and a vlog from 2019.  

However with the way in which politics, geopolitics, and the flood management scandal goes, possibly now can be time for Marcos to seek out that physique double. – Rappler.com