FACT CHECK: Romualdez's Stage 4 Cancer Claims False, Amid Arrest and Health Concerns

Claims circulating on social media that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has stage 4 cancer have been debunked as false. The assertion gained traction from a September 9 video uploaded by a YouTube channel named "News Update Files." The video's thumbnail featured text that read, "Stage 4 cancer!? Romualdez is already dead!?" and included an image of Romualdez lying in a hospital bed. However, no court filing, public hospital record, or credible news report confirms that Romualdez has cancer, whether stage 4 or otherwise. Reports concerning the lawmaker's medical conditions have focused on other health issues. Romualdez was arrested on September 7 over a P7.44-billion plunder case linked to alleged kickbacks in flood control projects. At the time of his arrest, he was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City. According to the Interior Secretary, Romualdez was suffering from a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack. Authorities processed his arrest at his hospital bedside rather than transferring him to a police station. Photos from this event show him lying down, wearing a detainee shirt, with a booking sign positioned above him. His actual documented conditions are cardiovascular and neurologic in nature, not cancer. In his manifestation to the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan seeking continued hospital confinement, Romualdez cited coronary artery disease, diabetes, and primary hypothyroidism, among other ailments. The court ordered his transfer to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), where an independent assessment found him to have chronic coronary syndrome, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, anxiety, and major depressive disorder. The PGH Medical Director stated that these conditions are under controlled medication and that the lawmaker is in stable condition. Following the PGH doctors' examination, the Sandiganbayan subsequently ordered Romualdez's transfer to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory on September 14. Romualdez remains alive and in custody, with his official mugshots released the following day. He is accused of receiving kickbacks related to the flood control corruption scheme. The case also involves former Ako Bicol representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and two private individuals. Co remains at large, while Romualdez has pleaded not guilty during his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan on September 16. Source: Rappler Philippines