Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said she is prepared to assist the family of Ivan Cezar Ronquillo should they decide to file a case against content creator Valentine Rosales, following Ronquillo’s death on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, due to apparent suicide.
Ronquillo died days after facing intense online backlash stemming from allegations linking him to the death of his girlfriend, model Gina Lima, who passed away on November 16. Rosales was among those who publicly accused Ronquillo of allegedly assaulting Lima.
However, the Quezon City Police District–Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU) later confirmed that Lima died of cardiorespiratory distress, contradicting claims circulating online. Prior to his death, Ronquillo denied hurting Lima and publicly identified individuals he said contributed to the damage to his reputation.
Rosales has since deleted his posts about Ronquillo and issued a statement claiming he was also a “victim of misinformation.” He said he reacted emotionally based on information allegedly relayed to him by friends.
Despite the backlash, Rosales insisted: “Tulad ninyo, isa rin akong biktima.”
Guanzon, who said she had been following the developments, criticized Rosales for his online statements.
In a Facebook post, she said (published as is): “Kaka-clout chase niyang valentine rosales na yan ay may nagpakamatay na tao. Bat lagi nalang lumalabas yan kapag may sikat na namamatay? Sa pamilya ng lalaki, idemanda niyo yan para magtanda. Tutulong po ako.”
Guanzon also called out Rosales over his involvement in high-profile cases, including the 2020 death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, where he initially became a person of interest but was later cleared after autopsy findings showed no foul play.
“Bakla tigil mo kasi yang laro ng galing-galingan… hintayin mo na lang love letter mo,” Guanzon added.
Ivan’s older sister, Sheila Rodriguez, thanked Guanzon for speaking up and confirmed that many individuals have been sending them screenshots, videos, and statements.
“Right now, we’re still grieving… pero Atty., one thing is sure, makikipagtulungan po kami sa inyo,” she wrote.
Rodriguez also shared a message she said was among her brother’s last words: “Pag na-clear na pangalan ko, pananagutan ko lahat ng nambugbog sakin at nanira sakin sa social media.”
She said their family intends to seek justice: “Kaya ‘yung mga may kasalanan, mananagot. Walang makakatakas sa katotohanan.”
Following the backlash, Rosales posted that he had attended an “emergency psychiatric session” due to the mental toll of the incident.
Authorities and health experts remind the public that depression and suicide are serious matters.
For those needing help, the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline is available at: 1553
(02) 7-989-8727
0966-351-4518
As of writing, Rosales’ camp has not released an official statement on the calls for legal action.
