‘I was misheard’: Mariz Umali clarifies she did not call Medialdea ‘matanda’ in viral video

Mariz Umali debunked the viral video claiming she called former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea ‘matanda’.

Medialdea, who represented Rodrigo Duterte in his Pre-Trial Hearing at the International Criminal Court last week, was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday during a scheduled visit to the former president. 

Umali posted a video as Medialdea was being taken out of the detention center on a stretcher. “A certain vlogger” circulated the video, criticizing Umali for allegedly calling Medialdea “matanda” in the clip. 

In a statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday evening, the news anchor clarified, “This interpretation is inaccurate. What I actually said was, “Tingnan mo yung ‘mata niya’ (Medialdea), nakabukas siya nung una pero nung nakita niya ako, pinikit.”

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

Umali reuploaded the video, showing Medialdea briefly opening his eyes when Umali asked about his condition before closing them again as he was taken into the ambulance.

“It is obvious that I was misheard. I want to be clear that no disrespect was intended toward Former Executive Secretary Medialdea.”

The Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands reported on Tuesday that Medialdea is now in a regular hospital room with a close relative. 

Senator Robin Padilla, who was also in the Netherlands, shared updates on his page, saying the Medialdea was still giving instructions while on the way to the hospital.

"Bihirang klase na po [a]ng mga katulad ninyo. [S]a kalagitnaan ng inyong pagkahimatay ay şi mayor FPRRD pa rin [a]ng inyong iniisip," he wrote. "[B]uong biyahe ng ambulansya hanggang sa emergency room [l]ahat puro bilin ng mga kailangan ni Digong. Paulit-ulit kahit hirap magsalita kaya [p]aulit-ulit din yun [p]ag test sa kanya."