A public program held to mark former President Rodrigo Duterte’s 81st birthday was abruptly interrupted Saturday when former Executive Secretary Salvador “Bingbong” Medialdea collapsed onstage in Davao City and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
The 74-year-old Medialdea, who is known to have a heart condition, was speaking before a crowd gathered at San Pedro Square when he appeared to lose his balance and was unable to continue. Medical responders from Davao City Central 911 assisted him and transported him offstage in a wheelchair.
Former Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, who was also present at the event and previously served alongside Medialdea in the Duterte cabinet, told reporters that Medialdea had grown emotional during his remarks. Avisado said he was brought to Davao Doctors Hospital for what he described as a routine check-up, and confirmed that Medialdea was in stable condition.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in a Facebook post, called on supporters to pray for Medialdea. “Sa gitna ng pagbibigay ng mensahe ni former ES Medialdea sa Solidarity Walk for Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s 81st Birthday sa Davao City ay mayroon siyang ibang naramdaman, kaya hindi na niya natapos ang kanyang mensahe at agad siyang dinala sa ospital,” Go wrote.
The incident marked the second time Medialdea had been hospitalized in connection with his involvement in events surrounding Duterte’s legal situation. In March 2025, he suffered a fainting spell in The Hague after representing Duterte during his first appearance before the International Criminal Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber — and later underwent a heart procedure that required him to receive a pacemaker. He subsequently withdrew from Duterte’s legal team, citing limited slots.
Saturday’s program was part of a broader Solidarity Walk that drew thousands of Duterte supporters across Davao City, many wearing green shirts bearing the message “Bring Him Home.” The march wound through Roxas Avenue and CM Recto Street before arriving at San Pedro Square. Duterte, currently detained at the ICC facility in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity arising from his administration’s drug war, marked his birthday away from the Philippines for the second consecutive year.
Vice President Sara Duterte, speaking to reporters earlier in the day, said phone calls to the detention center were not permitted on weekends, and that her father had not contacted her recently. “Of course, for an 81-year old, isa lang ang birthday wish nating lahat, and that is he’d be given another year of good health,” she said.
Go, who served as Duterte’s executive assistant beginning in 1998, described the occasion as “the saddest birthday” the former president had experienced.
