President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. turned a routine media briefing into a spectacle on April 13, 2026. While announcing the suspension of excise taxes on LPG and kerosene—a move meant to ease the pain of soaring fuel prices—he suddenly broke into jumping jacks. “I challenge anyone who are saying that I am sick,” he declared, “that they come and exercise with me. We will see who is stronger.” The message was clear: the president is fit, the rumors are nonsense, and anyone doubting him should lace up their sneakers.

But the timing couldn’t be more telling. Why flex now? The health chatter didn’t start yesterday. Back in January, Marcos was hospitalized at St. Luke’s for diverticulitis. Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro was the one repeatedly assuring the public that the president was fine—releasing videos of him playing with his dog, dismissing “fake news,” and even calling for NBI investigations into circulating medical documents that St. Luke’s itself branded as falsified. Yet when social media was ablaze with questions about his absence and condition, there were no impromptu gym sessions. No challenges to critics. Just carefully scripted denials.

Now, suddenly, with the oil crisis spiraling out of control and no coherent long-term plan in sight, Marcos decides it’s time for a public workout. Convenient, isn’t it?

Let’s be blunt: this feels less like transparency and more like classic Malacañang damage control. The country is reeling from multiple self-inflicted wounds. The flood control fiasco—billions poured into projects that turned out to be ghost or substandard—has triggered Senate inquiries, public protests, and accusations of corruption that reach the highest levels. Fugitive officials have pointed fingers directly at the administration. Add to that whispers of the “maleta” deliveries—luggage scandals allegedly involving millions of taxpayers’ money—and the public is right to feel gaslit.

Instead of addressing these head-on, the Palace rolls out the president doing calisthenics. And Claire Castro, the ever-present face of the communications office, has been central to this narrative-shaping exercise for months. From hospital updates to debunking “fakes,” her role has been to keep the spotlight on Marcos’ supposed vigor while inconvenient scandals fade into the background. It’s not governance; it’s optics management.

The oil crisis makes the distraction even more galling. Global tensions—particularly in the Middle East—have driven fuel prices through the roof. Filipino households and businesses are hurting. Yet rather than stay home and hammer out a real strategy, Marcos jetted off to New York to deliver speeches at the UN on women’s rights. Important topic, sure. But when your people are choosing between cooking gas and groceries, maybe prioritize the home front over the world stage. The tax suspension is a band-aid; it doesn’t fix the lack of preparedness or the deeper energy vulnerabilities this administration has ignored.
Even the latest announcement from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla—that plunder cases against figures like Martin Romualdez and Senator Chiz Escudero are gaining traction—smells like another chapter in the same playbook. Diversionary fireworks. Throw some high-profile names into the mix, let the headlines roll, and hope the public forgets the flood funds that vanished and the maleta mysteries that never got resolved.

Karma, as the saying goes, has a way of catching up. The oil crisis isn’t some abstract global event—it’s the direct consequence of policy drift and misplaced priorities. While the president challenges critics to push-ups, ordinary Filipinos are pushing back against rising costs, crumbling infrastructure, and a growing sense that Malacañang is more interested in image than accountability.

Mr. President, the jumping jacks were impressive. But strength isn’t measured in reps—it’s measured in results. And right now, the Filipino people are still waiting for those. Claire Castro and the Palace communications team can keep scripting the show, but the audience is getting restless. The real challenge isn’t who can do more push-ups. It’s whether this government can finally stop performing and start delivering.(TAMBULI NG BAYAN-Ronnie Estrada) #PBBM #BagongPilipinas #BongbongMarcos #PCO #ClaireCastro #VPSaraDuterte #DDS #BoyingRemulla #MartinRomualdez #ChizEscudero #Senado #Kongreso #OmbudsmanPH #floodcontrol #OFW #LizaMarcos #SandroMarcos