Alden Richards shares post comparing arrest of Martin Romualdez, senior citizen

Alden Richards used his platform to spotlight a post from a political meme page comparing the treatment received by former House speaker Martin Romualdez and a senior citizen from Cebu City during their respective arrests.

In a now-expired Instagram Story, the Sparkle actor shared a social media art card from Instagram page OMG, KKLK! containing photos of Romualdez lying in his hospital bed and the senior citizen, Ireneo Vidal, standing behind bars.

"Bilyun-bilyong pera ang ninakaw. Nagka-anxiety, pinayagang manatili sa ospital. Lolo, namalimos para may maipakain sa apo, binugbog, ikinulong," the art card described the photos.

Alden did not include any caption.

Romualdez, 62, was arrested on Monday over plunder charges while admitted at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center. He was earlier taken to the hospital after suffering "a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack," according to Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla.

The representative of Leyte's 1st congressional district is facing a P7.4 billion plunder charge over flood control mess. He remains confined at the hospital until further orders from the Sandiganbayan.

Meanwhile, Vidal, 68, was arrested in May for allegedly violating the Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance in Cebu City. He accused members of the Anti-Mendicancy Office of hurting him when they took him into custody, but they denied maltreating him during his apprehension.

Vidal also said that he was not begging for money on the street but busking with his harmonica so he could buy food for his grandchild. He was later released after spending days in detention.

Alden recently hosted "Rebuilding Broken Rooms," a GMA Public Affairs documentary about the state of education in the Philippines.

He currently stars in the Viu series "Love, Siargao" and will star in the upcoming Kapuso medical series "Code Grey." —MGP, GMA News