House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

The Office of the House Speaker has denied reports that Speaker Martin Romualdez has been hospitalized due to a stroke.

"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," lawyer Lemuel Erwin Romero, head executive assistant of the Speaker's office, said in a statement Saturday afternoon, Dec. 7.

"These allegations are completely untrue and are clearly designed to mislead the public and sow confusion," Romero said.

Romero says Romualdez, 61, 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," the lawyer 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 said.

"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, where he reinforced collaboration with local government leaders," he said.

"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," he further said.

Romualdez is president of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the main coalition partner of President Marcos' Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) party. Romualdez and Marcos are cousins.