Speaker Romualdez again denies health rumors

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez —House of Representatives photo

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday warned the public against fake news after he was rumored to have been hospitalized due to a stroke.

In a TV interview on Saturday, the head of the 300-member chamber urged Filipinos to reject disinformation as he assured that he remained in excellent health.

The Leyte congressman described as “ironic” rumors that he suffered a stroke on Saturday, particularly after he had a “restful” Friday night.

“I had no early appointment [on Saturday] so I was able to have a deep slumber and get very refreshed. Now, I’m feeling very, very strong and very energetic,” he said.

Romualdez theorized that the rumors of his hospitalization could have come from House critics. “Those may have come from House detractors, particularly of our ongoing hearings. There [will] always be critics. But that’s part of the job. But we should avoid spreading fake news.”—Jeannette I. Andrade