Okay, here’s a revised and updated fact-check based on the provided text and incorporating current information as of today, February 29, 2024. I will address potential inaccuracies and provide more context.
fact Check: Misleading Post Claims President Marcos is Still Hospitalized and on a Ventilator
Why we fact-checked this: A Facebook post by Brendo Cabahug, posted on January 28, 2024, falsely claimed president Bongbong Marcos was continuing to recover from diverticulitis while still hospitalized and connected to a ventilator.The post garnered critically important engagement – over 4,600 reactions, 4,900 comments, and 403 shares as of the original reporting.
The post included an image of Marcos in a hospital bed, seemingly on a ventilator, with text stating, “Patuloy na nagpapagaling si Pres. Bongbong Marcos sa kanyang sakit na diverticulitis.” (President Bongbong marcos continues to recover from diverticulitis.) The post’s caption also claimed Malacañang issued the health update.
The facts: The claim is misleading. While President Marcos was briefly hospitalized at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City on January 21, 2024, for medical observation related to diverticulitis, he was discharged shortly after and has resumed his duties. The image used in the Facebook post is highly likely to be AI-generated and does not reflect his current condition.
According to AI detection tools Sensity and Sightengine, the image has a 99% and 98% probability, respectively, of being AI-generated. This indicates the image is not a genuine photograph of the President’s current health status.
the President’s hospitalization followed reports of discomfort, and the Palace confirmed a diagnosis of diverticulitis – an inflammation of pouches in the large intestine (as defined by the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diverticulitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371758).
‘No cause for concern’ & Official Statements: On january 28, 2024, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) released a video on its official Facebook account (https://www.facebook.com/pcogovph) showing the president stating he was “doing well in his recovery.” (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DLvhih4at/)
The PCO also debunked circulating fake medical documents falsely claiming the President’s condition required surgery (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AqAXdNs7s/). St. Luke’s Medical Center issued a public advisory confirming the documents were “fake and falsified” and emphasized their commitment to patient confidentiality (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/171Ju12kQ4/).
Malacañang has repeatedly stated that President Marcos is “okay and back at work in the Palace” and has deemed a formal medical bulletin unnecessary (https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/president-marcos-assures-public-he-is-okay-back-at-work-in-the-palace/).
Recent Updates (Post-Original Fact Check): As of February 29, 2024, President Marcos has continued to fulfill his presidential duties, appearing at public events and meetings. There have been no further official reports of health
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