Duterte undergoes testing for COVID

MANILA, Philippines — After a series of engagements that saw him mingling with individuals who may have come into contact with persons infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), President Duterte underwent testing at Malacañang’s Bahay Pagbabago at 5 p.m. yesterday.

Sen. Christopher Go said he would also have himself tested to make sure he is fit enough to perform his duties. 

“President Duterte and I will undergo testing for COVID-19. We are not doing this because we have symptoms of COVID-19. We are doing this to ensure that we are fit and healthy to engage the public and perform our duties in the coming days and weeks,” the longtime aide said.

“As always, the President and I remain ready to serve and die for the Filipino people,” he added.

“Considering that some Cabinet members we engage with regularly have been exposed to individuals who tested positive of COVID-19 and have decided to undergo self-quarantine, it is just prudent for us to take precautionary measures in compliance with the advice of our health officials,” Go said.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, however, reported that the President has already tested negative for COVID-19.

“He underwent testing, and it’s negative I think,” Medialdea told reporters in Filipino.

“It was done last night. I cannot confirm but I know he was first to be tested. He already took (the test) as far as I know,” he added. “There is no confirmation yet, but I think he should be prioritized.”

The Presidential Security Group (PSG), meanwhile, has suspended Duterte’s foreign trips.

“For now, all of PRRD’s foreign travels, especially to those countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19, have been suspended as recommended by DOH (Department of Health),” the PSG said in a Facebook post.

Duterte was supposed to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Da Nang, Vietnam next month. 

The rise in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has spawned offers of self-quarantine from some officials and lawmakers. Medialdea said he and other Cabinet members have to observe “social distancing” as precautionary measure.

“We just have to stay away from each other. We can use the phones (to communicate) or text messages. We are now creating a system so that we can meet via teleconferencing,” Medialdea added.

He said even members of his staff are required to undergo testing or go into quarantine if necessary.

Medialdea said he was with the group of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade at the NLEX Harbor Link event on March 5.

Apart from Dominguez and Tugade, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar also opted to undergo self-quarantine.

Duterte postponed his visit yesterday to Boracay in the light of latest developments.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo confirmed that the President and Go were undergoing tests.

“They are undertaking this pre-emptive step as per advice of health officials given that they have regularly engaged with Cabinet officials, some of whom have opted to undergo self-quarantine as they were exposed to those infected with COVID-19,” he said.

The Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases met yesterday to discuss urgent measures to be undertaken in response to latest developments.

“The Palace urges the public to observe and practice the protocols on personal hygiene and social distancing established by the DOH to help contain the disease,” Panelo said.

Panelo also reiterated the Palace’s appeal to “our countrymen to stay calm yet vigilant, as well as not to believe or spread any false information on COVID-19.”

“The Office of the President hereby gives warning to those hoarding vital commodities, which create a hike in prices, as well as selling them beyond their regular prices, that their actions will be dealt with accordingly in pursuance of public safety and order. Those who unscrupulously take advantage of the health crisis will also be arrested and dealt with in accordance with law,” he said.

Refrain from exaggeration

 Panelo said he personally sees no reason for him to go into quarantine. “The resort to hate messages or posts in social media channels and other platforms will do more harm than good, especially during this time which should be seen as an opportunity for the Filipinos to unite in the face of the health threat,” he said.

Panelo also urged “media outlets to refrain from exaggerating or amplifying reports that may only affect the mindset of the public and instead help in disseminating helpful tips on how to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Aside from Panelo, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he won’t go on self-quarantine as he has never come into contact with infected individuals, unlike other officials.

Officials have announced one after another their plans to go into self-quarantine as reports of confirmed cases – including one more death – emerged.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has signed up as Person Under Monitoring with the Davao City Health Office and begun a monitored home quarantine.

She said one of the employees at her Davao City residence fell ill Wednesday night.

The mayor said she opted to go into home quarantine after she had a lunch meeting with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian in Manila. She claims to have no flu-like symptoms of COVID-19.

Carpio was also at the Senate for the confirmation of her appointment as an officer of the Philippine Army with a rank of colonel. Gatchalian is himself under self-quarantine.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones has joined other Cabinet members on home quarantine as precautionary measure against COVID-19.

Briones did not have any contact with a confirmed case, according to the Department of Education (DepEd), but some of her officials were at the Senate hearing last March 5 that was attended by a person who tested positive for the virus.

The same patient also met with DepEd officials and personnel at the department’s central office in Pasig City on Feb. 28.

Explaining his offer to undergo self-quarantine, Dominguez said he had a meeting with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. “I have no symptoms but I am self-isolating until I get tested,” he told reporters on Wednesday night.

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado has also begun self-quarantine, citing his having been “exposed” to Dominguez during a meeting last March 10. “So protocol requires, among others, that I should undergo self-quarantine for 14 days,” he said in a text message.

Senators on quarantine

Aside from Gatchalian, other senators have opted to go on self-quarantine.

They were Nancy Binay, Sonny Angara, Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Panfilo Lacson, Imee Marcos, Ramon Revilla, Lito Lapid and Francis Tolentino.

Only Sens. Go, Risa Hontiveros, Manny Pacquiao and Pia Cayetano have opted not to go on self-quarantine.

“Better safe than sorry for others,” Lacson said, explaining his decision. “There is every reason to be concerned as far as the Senate, since an invited resource person who has been tested positive for COVID-19 had not only entered the Senate premises, but even interacted with at least two senators and their staff,” Lacson said.

“In my case, since I shared the elevator with Sen. Gatchalian yesterday afternoon on our way to the session hall, I am taking precaution by doing self-quarantine while waiting for the result of his test. If he tests positive, I will have to undergo the test myself,” Lacson added. He said senators agreed to disinfect the Senate starting yesterday.

“I’m OK physically but may also do self-quarantine. I have sent my staff home since Monday night,” Angara said.

“In view of my exposure to Sen Win and Nancy on March 6, 9 and 11. Therefore, I will quarantine myself voluntarily for 14 days,” said Drilon.

Marcos said she and Gatchalian were often last to leave the Senate building.

Zubiri urged his other colleagues to observe self-quarantine. “I urge all my colleagues to do the same. Most of us senators have decided to stay home and away from any events. While we await test done on Sen Sherwin and Sen Nancy,” said Zubiri.

Hontiveros said she’d settle for social distancing instead of home quarantine.

“At this crucial moment, I ask that the government demonstrate the leadership that the public needs in order to shepherd ourselves out of this crisis. I also ask the public to religiously follow the protocols and guidelines set by our health authorities, practice social distancing if capable and impose self-quarantine if needed,” she said.

“Capitalizing on and profiting off people’s fear is just evil. I am urgently asking the authorities to crack down on sellers who overprice face masks, alcohol and other essential items,” she said.

Three more House members, aside from Rep. Isidro Ungab, have opted to go on self-quarantine, citing their interaction with a patient who tested positive for COVID-19.

House secretary general Jose Luis Montales said two of the lawmakers whom he did not name “attended the NLEx Harbor Link inspection last March 5 where a person who later tested positive for COVID-19 was also present.”

“Following protocol, they immediately went on self-quarantine and, as of today, have not exhibited any symptoms of the virus,” he said in a statement.

It was learned, however, that the two were Navotas Rep. John Reynald Tiangco and Valenzuela Rep. Eric Martinez.

Iloilo City Rep. Jam Baronda, on the other hand, announced that she went on self-quarantine after interacting with Tugade and Avisado earlier this week.  –  Alexis Romero, Delon Porcalla, Edu Punay, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Czeriza Valencia, Mary Grace Padin, Janvic Mateo, Emmanuel Tupas, Edith Regalado