Mariz Umali clarifies remark on Medialdea: I was misheard

GMA Integrated News reporter Mariz Umali on Wednesday refuted a vlogger’s claim regarding a remark about former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. 

The video of the vlogger went viral.

“A certain vlogger has circulated a post containing my voice, claiming that I referred to Former Executive Secretary Medialdea as 'matanda (old)' while he was on a stretcher. This interpretation is inaccurate,” Umali said on Facebook. 

“What I actually said was, “Tingnan mo yung ‘mata niya’ (Medialdea), nakabukas siya nung una pero nung nakita niya ako, pinikit (Look at his eyes. It was open before, but he closed it upon seeing me,” she added.

Umalis said she made the statement while she and a stringer were reviewing GMA Integrated News’ exclusive video of Medialdea being taken out of the penitentiary on a stretcher. 

“My observation was purely about his eyes—how they were initially open but closed upon seeing me during my attempt to interview him,” Umali said. 

“It is obvious that I was misheard. I want to be clear that no disrespect was intended toward Former Executive Secretary Medialdea. I hope this clarification helps set the record straight,” she added.

According to the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, Medialdea was “currently receiving treatment” at a hospital in The Hague. 

The embassy said Medialdea was on a scheduled visit to Duterte when the incident occurred. 

"While registering at the reception counter at around 8:55 a.m., Atty. Medialdea fell ill. An Embassy official, who accompanied him to the Detention Center, immediately called for medical attention, which was provided by a Detention Center medic," the statement read. 

Vice President Sara Duterte said Medialdea is set to withdraw as counsel once the team is finalized due to the limited slots for lawyers. –Mariel Celine Serquiña/NB, GMA Integrated News