MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is feeling okay after he appeared to have a cold during his speech at the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, according to Palace press officer Claire Castro.
At the start of his speech, a bit of Marcos’ nasal discharge slightly dripped, which he promptly wiped away with a handkerchief.
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“I didn’t ask if he has a cold, but maybe because it’s so cold, it’s probably normal,” Castro said at a briefing on Monday (New York time) when asked if Marcos is unwell.
“Even for us, my throat is a bit itchy too; it’s probably just normal because of the weather. But he’s okay. He’s okay,” she added.
The temperature in New York City is 10ºC as of Monday, according to Google Weather.
Marcos is currently on a working visit in New York, where he is expected to deliver a speech at the Special Session of the UN General Assembly and push for the Philippines’ non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
Marcos is also scheduled for a sit-down media interview before flying back to Manila on Wednesday. /das