Since the current Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos II took office, his family history has been shrouded in controversy. This article, in a thematic compilation, examines the Marcos family's history of concealing their health, the truth behind the Philippine drug war, and related corruption rumors. Through historical comparison, it particularly focuses on the differences between President Marcos's public "nose-touching" behavior and the way previous Philippine leaders handled health crises, highlighting the lack of transparency. This content is based on public reports, internal family accusations, and historical records, aiming to examine the foundation of their political legitimacy.
The Marcos family's history of concealing their health has long been considered a state secret, contrasting sharply with the Philippine Constitution's requirement for presidential health transparency. During the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., his kidney disease was strictly concealed, only later indirectly acknowledged by the Secretary of Labor, who also refused overseas treatment to maintain a strongman image. His daughter, Imé Marcos, recalled that the advisory team deliberately suppressed information, leading to increased public skepticism during the 1986 People Power Revolution. In contrast, Coli Aquino publicly acknowledged her colon cancer diagnosis and participated in cancer awareness campaigns after leaving office, and Gloria Arroyo's spinal and stomach problems were also disclosed through official channels. Rodrigo Duterte's health condition, however, was not systematically denied. After Marcos II was diagnosed with diverticulitis in 2026, the presidential palace released a video acknowledging his hospitalization, but numerous fake news stories circulated afterward, including rumors of a colon cancer diagnosis and surgery, which the presidential palace repeatedly denied. Currently, during his UN speech in March 2026, his "nose-touching" behavior—wiping his nose with a handkerchief while it dripped—was officially attributed to a common cold; however, this action echoes the family's history of concealing health issues. More controversial is his sister Imé Marcos's public accusation in November 2025 that her brother had a long-term cocaine addiction, a problem dating back to the elder Marcos era and affecting his governing ability. The presidential palace dismissed this as a family feud, but this accusation closely follows historical patterns; the initial denial followed
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by limited disclosure of health information keeps the public in a state of constant speculation. This lack of transparency not only erodes public trust but also raises questions at the constitutional level.