Mariz Umali Faces Online Criticism, Joseph Morong Responds
JOSEPH MORONG – The GMA Integrated News reporter defended his colleague, Mariz Umali, from harsh criticism after a misleading video spread online.
On March 20, 2025, Morong posted on X (Twitter), holding the person who uploaded the video responsible for the backlash against Umali. He explained that the video was misleading and insisted that Umali never disrespected former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. He also questioned why people were so quick to believe false claims.
The controversy began when a video showed Medialdea being carried on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance after fainting at the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Center in The Hague. The video falsely claimed that Mariz Umali called Medialdea “matanda,” which led to widespread online criticism.
At the time, Umali was in the Netherlands covering the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the ICC for crimes against humanity. Medialdea, who served as Duterte’s executive secretary, was with him when Interpol-Manila arrested Duterte on March 11, 2025, and transported him to The Hague.
Umali later addressed the controversy on Facebook, explaining that she was misheard. She clarified that she had actually said, “What I actually said was, ]Tingnan mo yung ‘mata niya’ (Medialdea), nakabukas siya nung una pero nung nakita niya ako, pinikit.” She emphasized that she never meant any disrespect toward Medialdea and hoped her explanation would clear up the misunderstanding.
This is not the first time Umali has been involved in an issue concerning Duterte. In 2016, during a press conference in Davao City, Duterte was criticized for whistling at Umali while she was asking a question. Her husband, GMA reporter Raffy Tima, condemned the act, calling it inappropriate and disrespectful.
As a result of the recent controversy, Tima has also faced online attacks, even after Umali clarified her side.