Romualdez is sick… seems familiar?

When House Speaker Martin Romualdez requested to postpone a congressional hearing for a “medical procedure,” it struck a nerve among Filipinos. After all, we’ve seen this play before, one where politicians faking illness suddenly fall “too sick” to attend hearings, face charges, or even go to jail.

The Oldest Trick in the Book

In Philippine politics, “hospital arrest” and “medical confinement” have become escape hatches for the powerful. From wheelchairs to oxygen tanks, these displays often draw sympathy from the public, redirecting the conversation from accountability to compassion.

This tactic works because Filipinos are deeply empathetic. The sight of a frail official in a hospital gown softens public outrage — even if the illness appears just in time to dodge corruption cases.
And the sad part? It works every time.

A Short History of “Sick” Politicians

Here’s a quick rundown of some notable cases where the “medical card” was pulled out:

• Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2011–2016): Hospital arrest at Veterans Memorial Medical Center while facing plunder charges over the PCSO fund scam.
  
• Juan Ponce Enrile (2014): Granted bail due to “fragile health” despite plunder charges in the PDAF scam.
  
• Jinggoy Estrada (2014): Also detained for the PDAF scam; later cited “health issues” during motions for release.
• Imelda Marcos (2018): Skipped court proceedings for a supposed illness after her graft conviction.
• Rodrigo Duterte (2025): Avoided several summons from the International Criminal Court (ICC) by citing health concerns and fatigue, as allies often claimed he was “too weak” or “undergoing medical tests.”
• Martin Romualdez (2025): Asked to postpone hearings for a medical procedure amid scrutiny over alleged misuse of public funds.

Different decades, same diagnosis: political immunity through medical sympathy.

Why We Keep Falling for It

Filipinos are kind by nature. When someone’s sick, we show sympathy. We say, “Huwag muna natin siyang husgahan, may sakit siya.” But in politics, that kindness often gets used against us.

We don’t want to look heartless, so we stop asking questions. We let hearings slide, we “understand” the delay, and then one day, no one’s talking about the case anymore.

Accountability on Pause

Every time we let politicians use health as an excuse, we teach others that this trick still works. It slows down justice and turns corruption issues into pity stories.

Maybe it’s time we learn to separate real illness from political timing. We can care for the person and still demand accountability.

Because when powerful people use sickness to dodge the truth, and we allow it—it’s not just the system that’s unwell. It’s the country, too.