The order for Marcos to reveal his health status comes as Duterte’s supporters continue to cast doubts about the president’s fitness
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenAlan RoblesPublished: 5:30pm, 27 Apr 2026Questions over Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s health, amplified by supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte, have reached the Supreme Court, turning a dispute over presidential fitness into a rare test of constitutional disclosure.On Wednesday, the Supreme Court gave Marcos 10 days, or until early May, to disclose his state of health.
The court was reacting to an “urgent petition” for a “writ of mandamus” filed by political allies and supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who have become among Marcos’ fiercest critics after the collapse of the two men’s once-powerful alliance.
The petition asked the court to force Marcos and his top officials to “inform the public about the serious illness and state of health of the president”. According to the petitioners, Marcos should also take a hair follicle drug test and publicise the results.
A writ of mandamus is a court order directing a government official to perform a legal duty.
In this instance, the petitioners cited an article in the constitution, which states that “in case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health”.
