MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. jogged and performed several rounds of jumping jacks in front of journalists outside his Manila office on Monday to disprove rumors about his failing health. The 68-year-old leader carried out the exercises while still dressed in formal office attire, reading glasses and leather shoes.

Marcos said he did the impromptu workout to ease any worry about his health as the Philippines faced problems related to the war in the Middle East. Addressing reporters after the display, he issued a direct challenge to those who questioned his physical condition. "You come to the gym with me. Let's see who can lift the weights better," he said.

The public demonstration followed a period of speculation about the president's well-being. Rumors about his deteriorating health and death had circulated on social media. Marcos briefly vanished from public view in January and later acknowledged in a video message that he had been taken to a hospital for an abdominal ailment he ascribed to stress and age.

He was diagnosed at that time with diverticulitis, a condition involving inflammation of small pouches in the digestive tract, usually in the colon, that can cause pain, fever, nausea or constipation. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said that a hospital checkup a couple of months ago showed he had been cured of the condition.

He said he had returned to a normal diet and was exercising regularly. He also disclosed that he was currently taking medication for both gout and high blood pressure.

Marcos took office as president of the Philippines in mid-2022.