Video Claims Romualdez Released USB Evidence Against Marcos, But No Confirmation Exists
A video posted on April 24, 2026, falsely alleged that former House speaker Martin Romualdez released evidence against Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Rappler reported the video garnered 221,000 views by May 4, 2026. The claim stems from a misinterpretation of Romualdez's recent statement denying budget corruption allegations.
citizen.co.zaA misleading video posted on April 24, 2026, falsely claimed that former House speaker Martin Romualdez released a flash drive containing evidence against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. related to budget corruption. Rappler reported that the video had accumulated 221,000 views, 13,000 likes, and 742 comments as of May 4, 2026.
The video's thumbnail displayed a photo of Romualdez holding a flash drive and a folder marked 'confidential evidence,' alongside images of other political figures, including one showing Marcos seemingly in a hospital. Text overlaid on the thumbnail stated, 'Nabunyag na! VP Sara mag-take over ka na!
Heto na ang USB! Sinapubliko ni Tamba! ' The video's commentator asserted that, according to a reliable source, Romualdez was set to reveal the contents of a USB drive with evidence against Marcos. Rappler noted that the commentator discussed Romualdez’s recently-posted video statement in the context of these claims.
No reports confirm that Romualdez released such a flash drive with evidence against Marcos. Rappler stated that Romualdez posted a video statement denying claims he masterminded a corruption scheme in the government. In the statement, Romualdez explained the budget process, saying, 'The national budget does not depend on just one person.
The budget does not begin in the House. It begins in the executive. The agencies and departments prepare their proposals. Romualdez further stated, 'If corruption were to occur, in a magnitude made known to us over the past months, then it’s clear that real corruption does not happen at the level of general legislative approval alone.
It happens at the level of execution of the General Appropriations Act. Rappler reported that Romualdez did not directly name President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his video statement. Malacañang said it did not interpret Romualdez’s remarks as being directed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The video commentator said, 'Romualdez, nagbabala ilalabas na ang USB. Woah! ' In his statement, Romualdez said he is authorizing the release of the affidavit he submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure as well as the list of projects in his district.
Former lawmaker Zaldy Co tagged Romualdez as the alleged mastermind behind the insertion of P100 billion worth of projects in the 2025 budget. Romualdez named Zaldy Co and former Senate president Chiz Escudero as the two people instrumental in making budget decisions. Rappler published the fact-check article on May 4, 2026, at 5:30 PM PHT.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-05-04
Rappler published fact-check article at 5:30 PM PHT debunking the misleading video.
1 sourceRappler - 2026-04-24
Misleading video posted, claiming Romualdez released USB evidence against Marcos.
1 sourceRappler - Recent (post-allegations)
Martin Romualdez posted video statement denying corruption claims and explaining budget process.
1 sourceRappler - Prior to April 2026
Former lawmaker Zaldy Co tagged Romualdez as mastermind behind P100 billion budget insertions for 2025.
1 sourceRappler - Recent months
Allegations of budget corruption emerged, leading to Romualdez's response.
1 sourceRappler
Potential Impact
- 01
Heightened fact-checking efforts on social media claims related to Marcos administration.
- 02
Potential spread of misinformation affecting public perception of Philippine government officials.
- 03
Increased scrutiny on budget processes and corruption allegations in Philippine politics.
- 04
Possible political tension between Romualdez and other figures like Co and Escudero.
- 05
Minimal direct impact on ongoing budget execution without confirmed evidence.
Transparency Panel
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