Another lawmaker with COVID-19 dies

MANILA, Philippines — Another lawmaker who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 has died.

Sorsogon second district Rep. Ditas Ramos was on a flight to Manila from Legazpi City yesterday when she suffered cardiac arrest, according to her office.

It was only on Sunday when the House of Representatives announced that Ramos had been infected.

Lawmakers offered a prayer for Ramos during their plenary session yesterday.

Ramos’ chief of staff Manny Rocha reportedly died of COVID last March.

Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Jun Datol died of the disease last month.

Reps. Henry Villarica of Bulacan, Samier Tan of Sulu, Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, Mujiv Hataman of Basilan, Raul Daza of Northern Samar, Luis Ferrer IV of Cavite and Eric Pineda of 1-Pacman party-list also tested positive for the virus.

The House logged its 70th case on Monday – a staff of a congressman who last reported for work on Aug. 26.

House secretary general Jose Luis Montales said the patient was exposed to a security detail of the congressman.

“Their principal and their officemates all tested negative for COVID-19,” Montales said.