SC to Marcos: Answer medical test petition

MANILA, Philippines —  The Supreme Court (SC) has directed President Marcos to answer a petition seeking to compel him to undergo physical and mental examinations, including a hair follicle drug test.

In full court session, the SC directed the President and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to file comment within 10 days on the  petition for mandamus filed by former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. His co-petitioners were Virgilio Garcia, Juan Raña and Raymundo Junia.

The petitioners also asked the SC to require the President to release a medical report confirming his physical and mental fitness to perform the duties of the presidency.

“The Court, without necessarily giving due course to the petition, directed respondents to comment within a non-extendible period of 10 days,” the SC said.

The petitioners claimed that Marcos appears to be “in a bad – if not, worsening – state of physical and mental health,” citing supposed “disturbing behavior and impressions” of him during public interviews and occasional public appearances.

The President has brushed aside rumors about his health as “pure shenanigans,” as he recently faced the media and performed jumping jacks and later jogged within the Palace compound.