Marcos health rumors trigger Palace crackdown

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Malacañang said individuals spreading alleged fake news about the health of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should face the consequences of their actions, stressing that those who engage in disinformation are fully aware of what they are doing.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said fake news peddlers no longer need warnings because they already know their actions are wrong.

“First of all, if we use common sense, fake news peddlers no longer need to be warned because they already know what they are doing is wrong,” Castro said in Iloilo City on Friday, April 17.

“A warning is not what is appropriate for them, as they do not need to be warned, and they know what they are doing is wrong and that they are only destroying others, so whatever they are doing, they should face the consequences,” she emphasized.

Castro clarified that the government is not curtailing freedom of expression but is targeting those who deliberately spread malicious false information about the government and the president.

“We are not curtailing anybody’s freedom of expression, as we do not cover or restrict that, and we are only going after those spreading fake news,” she said.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has recommended filing legal charges against three Facebook personalities for allegedly spreading false information about Marcos’ health.

The PCO’s Anti-Fake News Desk flagged three accounts, including “Iloy Bugris: The Queen of Revelations,” “Rigondola Ping,” and “Crage Anderpal”, and endorsed their cases to the Department of Justice for possible criminal action.

The PCO said the accounts allegedly posted fabricated claims and manipulated images suggesting the president was critically ill, which it described as deliberate disinformation.

Castro said “Iloy Bugris,” reportedly operated by Jinky Avelino Miraflores Carpio, an Ilongga vlogger based in Dubai, may be held liable for falsely claiming Marcos was seriously ill.

“She can be liable for damages, she can be held liable for cyberlibel, and she can be held liable for utterances of fake news that disrupt public order,” Castro said.

“All of these may make her pay damages, face criminal charges, and possibly be issued a warrant of arrest,” she added.

Marcos has recently made public appearances showing he is in good health, including performing jumping jacks, jogging outside his office, and lifting a sack of rice during events following viral rumors about his condition.