FACT CHECK: No evidence Romualdez has stage 4 cancer

The lawmaker is reportedly suffering from illnesses such as sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, and major depressive disorder — not cancer

AT A GLANCE

• A claim that circulated on social media stating that former House speaker Martin Romualdez has stage 4 cancer is false.
• There is no credible evidence, such as court filings or public hospital records, to support the claim of Romualdez having cancer; his documented health issues are related to cardiovascular and neurologic conditions.
• Romualdez was arrested on September 7 for a plunder case and is currently in custody, having been transferred to Quezon City Jail after being assessed at the Philippine General Hospital.

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Claim: Following his arrest, medical findings confirmed that former House speaker Martin Romualdez has stage 4 cancer.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A YouTube channel named “News Update Files” uploaded a video on September 9 claiming that Romualdez has stage 4 cancer.

Text on its thumbnail reads, “Stage 4 cancer!? Romualdez paktay [sic] na!?” (Stage 4 cancer!? Romualdez is already dead!?). It shows Romualdez lying in a hospital bed with a detainee shirt draped over him.

The video’s title reads, “Kapapasok lang! Breaking news! Romualdez paktay na! Confirmed! Tamba merong stage 4 cancer pala!” 

(Just in! Breaking news! Romualdez is already dead! Confirmed! Turns out Tamba has stage 4 cancer!)

As of writing, the video has drawn over 4,400 views, 230 likes, and 60 comments. 

The facts: There is no court filing, public hospital record, or credible news report confirming that Romualdez has cancer, whether stage 4 or otherwise. The lawmaker’s medical conditions, as cited in reports, concern other health issues.

Romualdez was arrested on September 7 over a P7.44-billion plunder case linked to alleged flood control kickbacks. Authorities served the warrant while he was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that at the time of arrest, Romualdez was suffering from a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack. 

Because of his condition, authorities processed Romualdez at his hospital bedside rather than taking him to a police station. He was photographed lying down, with the detainee shirt draped over him and the booking sign positioned above him. (READ: How Martin Romualdez avoided jail by going to hospital)

His actual documented conditions are cardiovascular and neurologic in nature, not cancer. In his own manifestation asking the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan for 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 that Romualdez has chronic coronary syndrome, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, anxiety, and major depressive disorder. 

PGH Medical Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, however, said that these conditions are under controlled medication and that the lawmaker is in stable condition.

Behind bars: The Sandiganbayan subsequently ordered Romualdez’s transfer to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas on September 14 following the PGH doctors’ examination. Romualdez remains alive and in custody, with his official mugshots being released the following day. 

Romualdez 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. – Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com

Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. 

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