Abbey M.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that his health is improving, according to a vlog he released on Sunday, February 1.

In the video update, the president revealed he lost weight after being placed on a liquid diet for several days. Malacañang previously disclosed that Marcos Jr. was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the digestive system.

"I'm recovering well, and the doctors' assessment is good—nothing serious. I just need to regain my strength," President Marcos Jr. stated in his vlog.

["ako naman eto, nagre-recover na rin, maganda naman ang assessment ng mga doctor, nothing serious, kailangan magpalakas ulit.”]

The president's health update comes after concerns were raised about his condition. Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected, often requiring dietary modifications and medical treatment.

Despite the temporary health setback, the president assured the public that his recovery is progressing smoothly and that medical professionals have given him a positive prognosis.

Malacañang has announced that there will be no more cabinet rigodon under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., even as some of his secretaries remain in acting capacity.

The Palace made this statement following questions raised by Senator Rodante Marcoleta about the increasing number of acting secretaries who have not yet gone through the Commission on Appointments.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said they asked the President about the matter, and he confirmed there would be no more rigodon. She added that the names of appointees will be submitted to the Commission on Appointments as soon as possible.

Construction has begun on a covered walkway between TriNoma and SM North EDSA to make pedestrian and commuter travel safer and more comfortable.

This follows an inspection conducted by the Department of Transportation and DOTR-MRT3, which assessed the condition of the walkway and the temporary cement patches installed in areas prone to flooding.

According to DOTR, construction of the covered walkway will continue to protect passersby from sun and rain, especially during rush hours.

The agency expressed gratitude to MRT-7 under San Miguel Corporation for its assistance in installing the covered walkway.

The Supreme Court has clarified in its decision on Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case that impeachment is not merely a political matter but a legal and constitutional proceeding that requires due process from the very beginning.

The high court denied the House of Representatives' motion to reverse its declaration that the articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte were unconstitutional.

The tribunal emphasized that the fourth articles of impeachment submitted to the Senate on February 5, 2025 violated the one-year bar rule.

According to Supreme Court Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting, the Supreme Court En Banc affirmed that the fourth impeachment complaint transmitted to the Senate on February 5, 2025 was already barred by Article XI, Section 3, subsection (5) of the Constitution.

In the decision written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the court stated that impeachment is a legal, political, and constitutional procedure, not a political proceeding alone.

The court also asserted that under the power granted to them by the Constitution, impeachment proceedings can be reviewed by the judiciary.

The high court stressed that due process must be observed throughout the entire impeachment process, as well as the speedy disposition of cases.

"The due process clause embodies the fundamental constitutional commitment to reasonableness, fairness, and non-arbitrariness. It envisions that we cannot have a true democratic and republican/representative state that is arbitrary and unfair," Ting said.

The House of Representatives can no longer appeal the decision, and the Supreme Court will not accept any other petitions related to the case. This means the ruling is final and cannot be challenged.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s activities remain limited as he recovers from diverticulitis, an intestinal infection. 

Although he continues to improve, he still requires rest and careful monitoring. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said full recovery is expected in the coming weeks.

The Malacañang Palace has stated that releasing a medical bulletin on President Marcos Jr.'s condition is not necessary. This comes amid various speculations about the actual state of the President's health.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that medical bulletins are typically issued only for serious illnesses. 

According to the President's doctor, the diverticulitis he is experiencing, an inflammation of part of the large intestine is not life-threatening.

"To our knowledge, a medical bulletin should be released for serious illnesses. If the President said this is not life threatening, then why would a medical bulletin be necessary when we are already providing you with updates on the President's health condition?" Usec. Castro said.

["Sa ating pagkakaalam po kapag naglabas ng medical bulletin dapat serious illness. Kung sinabi ng Pangulo na hindi ito life-threatening, so, bakit kakailanganin po ngayon ang medical bulletin samantalang kami naman po ay nagpu-provide sa inyo kung ano ang kalagayan ng kalusugan ng Pangulo."]

She urged the public to rely on official information from the Palace and dismissed circulating reports alleging a worsening of the President's condition.

"We cannot provide any opinion if it does not come directly from the President's doctor and from the President himself. The President said it is not life-threatening. He experienced some pain and his doctors are addressing it," Castro added.

["Hindi po tayo maaaring magbigay ng anumang opinyon kung hindi naman manggagaling mismo sa doktor ng Pangulo at hindi manggagaling sa Pangulo. Sinabi po ng Pangulo hindi po life-threatening – nakaramdam po siya nang kaunting sakit at iyan naman po ay tinutugunan ng kaniyang mga doktor. "]

Under the Constitution, the President is obligated to inform the public about his health condition only in cases of serious illness.

Executive Secretary Recto, drawing from his own experience with the same condition, expressed confidence in the President's recovery.

"Well, it's only natural for the doctors to tell him to take a week of rest. You know, last year I also had diverticulitis. I had it twice in December of 2024 and January of 2025. It's painful, and I had downtime of a week for each episode. Now I am fully recovered and I think in the next few weeks the President will also be fully recovered," Recto said.

["Well its only natural for the doctors to tell him to take a week of rest. you know last year I also had diverticulitis. I had it twice. Dec of 2024 and January of 2025. Masakit iyon and I had down time of a week for each episode. Now I am fully recovered and I think in the next few weeks the President will also be fully recovered"]

This is not the first time the release of a presidential medical bulletin has become a contentious issue. During former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, a petition was filed with the Supreme Court requesting the public disclosure of his health status. 

However, the Court dismissed the case due to lack of merit, ruling that the petitioner failed to prove that the President has a constitutional obligation to disclose his health condition.

With reports from Nel Maribojoc