Executive Secretary Recto says Marcos lost weight from having just soup

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the contract signing of the construction for the Metro Manila Subway Project’s (MMSP) Quezon Avenue and East Avenue Station, as well as the Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo stations. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/pool/File 

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appeared to have lost weight in a pre-recorded video message delivered during the Philippine National Police (PNP) Day celebration at Camp Crame on Thursday.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto noted that the chief executive has been on a 'soup-only' diet over the past several days.

Recto represented Marcos at the event, as the president was advised by his doctors to take a week-long rest.

"Looks like [it]," Recto told reporters when asked whether Marcos lost weight. 

"Kung kayong lahat ay kumain lang ng sabaw ng tatlo o apat, limang araw eh talagang papayat ka," he said.

(If all of you ate only soup for three, four, or five days, you would really lose weight.)

He added though that the President is now in good condition and is expected to return to regular activities next week.

The president's absence from events have given rise to rumors online that he is in poor health.

Malacañang earlier said Marcos was brought to the hospital last week and was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammation of pouches inside the colon.

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While the president has described the disease as “not a life-threatening condition,” he has since skipped several events outside the Palace.

Malacañang on Tuesday said the president was in good condition but would temporarily limit his engagements to private meetings.

Asked whether Marcos is considering an investigation into fake document about his health that has been circulating, Recto said he has not talked to the president about it but that an investigation is possible.

Recto added Marcos is “well aware of any issue,” including the impeachment complaints filed against him at the House of Representatives.

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