Guanzon Considers Legal Aid for Ronquillo Family Amid Online Harassment Fallout

Atty. Rowena Guanzon.

Guanzon Considers Legal Aid for Ronquillo Family Amid Online Harassment Fallout

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | November 21, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon has offered legal assistance to the family of Ivan Cezar Ronquillo, a model who reportedly died by suicide following a barrage of online harassment.

The controversy erupted after Ronquillo was accused of causing the death of his girlfriend, Gina Lima, who was also a model.

Social media personality Valentine Rosales is facing intense scrutiny for his accusatory posts against Ronquillo in the days leading up to his death.

Ronquillo passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, a few days after Lima’s death.

While initial speculation pointed to alleged physical abuse by Ronquillo as the cause of Lima’s death, a Quezon City Police District-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU) investigation revealed that Lima’s cause of death was cardiorespiratory distress.

No signs of physical abuse were found.

Despite the police findings, online accusations against Ronquillo persisted, fueled in part by Rosales’ social media posts.

Before his death, Ronquillo released screenshots and videos documenting the accusations leveled against him, naming several individuals, including Rosales.

Rosales Claims to Be a Victim, Removes Posts

Under mounting criticism, Rosales deleted his social media posts concerning Ronquillo.

However, instead of issuing an apology, Rosales claimed he was also a victim of misinformation.

In a subsequent post, Rosales stated, “Why are you blaming me for his suicide? Like you, I am also a victim of false information.”

“I only learned that Ivan allegedly beat Gina from Kevin Tan, so my first reaction was anger and hatred, so I posted about it. Now, you who shared and gossiped are to blame because if you didn’t share it, it wouldn’t have gone viral.”

A screenshot of a message from Rosales to Ronquillo, dated November 17, was included in Ronquillo’s final Facebook post.

It read: “Heyyy!!! What did you do to Gina!!! You’re crazy!!! You didn’t have mercy on her! You will pay in jail and hell for what you did! If you want a fistfight, let’s fight. Don’t hurt the woman! You’re so big, that’s what you’ll use as a punching bag.”

Rosales’ post also included his feelings about Lima’s death, stating, “Unfortunately, Facebook removed my posts due to bullying and harassment, but that won’t stop me from exposing you and fighting for the justice that Gina Lima deserves! She didn’t deserve to die this way. This is not the first time you have hurt a woman, Ivan Cezar Ronquillo!”

Police Investigation and Initial Findings

According to authorities, Ivan Cezar Ronquillo, 24, died in an apparent suicide at the same residence where Lima’s death occurred.

La Loma Quezon City Police District Station Commander Lt. Col. Jose Luis Aguirre confirmed Ronquillo’s death, stating he was found hanged in his home.

He was rushed to Quezon City General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Lt. Col. Edison Ouano, chief of the QCPD-CIDU, stated in an interview with GMA Integrated News that drug involvement was a possible factor in Lima’s death.

He also confirmed that no signs of physical abuse were found on Lima’s body.

“There were tablets and suspected cannabis, so we are still waiting for the results of the laboratory exam,” Ouano said.

“In the initial findings, there was no disturbance. The room was well-arranged. There were some minor bruises on the legs, but only small dots.”

“In the initial examination by the investigators, no signs of strangulation or obstruction of breathing were found. No bruises were found.”

Ouano revealed that Lima’s cause of death was “cardiorespiratory distress.”

Guanzon Offers Support, Legal Action Possible

Amid the ongoing controversy, lawyer Rowena Guanzon has publicly criticized Rosales’ actions and offered her support to the Ronquillo family should they choose to pursue legal action.

The potential legal ramifications of online harassment and its connection to Ronquillo’s death are now being discussed, raising questions about accountability in the digital age.

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This article contains themes of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a crisis hotline or mental health professional.