GMA reporter Mariz Umali clarified the misinformation spreading online, which falsely claimed that she referred to former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as ‘matanda’ or an old man. Mariz was assigned to cover events in the Netherlands.

On her Facebook account, Mariz posted a video showing ES Medialdea in an ambulance. It was reported that ES Medialdea fell ill and had to be taken to a hospital. The said video post comes with the following message:

“I wish to address and clarify an inaccurate claim about me that has gone viral regarding a statement I made about Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

A certain vlogger has circulated a post containing my voice, claiming that I referred to Former Executive Secretary Medialdea as “matanda” while he was on a stretcher. 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.”

At that time, I, along with our stringer, was reviewing an exclusive footage of Former Executive Secretary 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.

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.”