By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte filed in the House of Representatives, suspected Duterte Diehard Supporters (DDS) trolls have reportedly launched “malicious attacks” by spreading online rumors that Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has been hospitalized due to a stroke.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that the timing appears questionable, coming shortly after Romualdez led around 200 congressmen to a “fellowship dinner” with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at Malacañang, where they presented a manifesto supporting the Chief Executive “against all threats.”
“We strongly deny the false and malicious rumors being circulated online claiming that Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez suffered a stroke and is currently confined in a hospital,” said Atty. Lemuel Erwin Romero, head executive assistant of the Speaker’s office, in a statement on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
Before these online rumors surfaced, VP Duterte had previously claimed she contacted someone to kill the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez in the event of her own assassination, though she later insisted it was “no joke.”
“These allegations are completely untrue and are clearly designed to mislead the public and sow confusion,” Romero emphasized.
He clarified that the 61-year-old Romualdez is in “excellent health.”
“To clarify, Speaker Romualdez is in excellent health and continues to perform his duties with dedication and focus. Just yesterday, December 6, 2024, he attended several official engagements, demonstrating his active involvement in public service,” Romero said.
“In the morning, he was at Malacañang Palace for the ceremonial signing of two significant laws: the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act and the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act. The event was widely covered by the media, underscoring his active role in advancing these legislative measures,” Romero continued.
“Later in the day, Speaker Romualdez participated in the Year-End Celebration and Thanksgiving of the League of Provinces of the Philippines alongside President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., governors, and senators, reinforcing collaboration with local government leaders,” he added.
“We urge everyone to rely only on verified and official sources of information and to reject disinformation that seeks to undermine trust in our leaders and institutions,” Romero concluded.
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