A video posted on Facebook is falsely claiming that House Speaker Martin Romualdez suffered heatstroke and was taken to the emergency room of a hospital.
In a June 29 advisory, the House of Representatives Fact-Check categorically denied and condemned what it described as “dangerous and defamatory lies” while declaring that Romualdez is “in excellent health.”
Published on June 27, the spurious video bore an overlaid text that read:
“Nasa E.R. Saint Luke Hospital 11:13pm
Tumalab na ang kulam
Na karma napod
ROMUALDEZ HEAT STROKE NGAUN GABI
(At the E.R. of Saint Luke Hospital 11:13 pm
The curse has taken effect
Karma has struck
Romualdez had a heat stroke tonight)”
The HOR Fact-Check said Romualdez was “currently in Tacloban City, actively attending the Fiesta celebrations, meeting with constituents, and fulfilling his duties as Representative of the First District of Leyte.”
It described the video as a “recycled, malicious disinformation,” noting it had already been debunked as fake in December 2024.
Last year, several news organizations reported on the claim that the House leader suffered a stroke, citing a statement from Romualdez’s camp dismissing the rumors.
The HOR Fact-Check said “the Speaker’s legal team is reviewing this incident for possible prosecution of those involved,” adding that spreading such disinformation is a punishable act under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10175).
The inaccurate video surfaced a day after Romualdez urged incoming and young lawmakers to support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s legislative priorities and vision.
The false video, published by FB page Duterte Active Supporters (created on Nov. 14, 2017), has so far received 5,200 reactions, 2,600 comments, 672 shares and 340,000 views.
