Duterte not exposed to COVID-19 positive Sara

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte did not have close contact with his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who has tested positive for COVID, Presidential Security Group (PSG) chief Col. Randolph Cabangbang told journalists in a text message yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said he could only surmise that there was no contact between Duterte and Carpio.

“Otherwise, Mayor Sara would probably (be) a candidate by now,” Roque said, referring to the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) that ended last Friday.

“The talk to the people will push through and I will be flying to Davao right after my press briefing, together with select members of the IATF. We won’t be asked to go there if the President had close contact with people who contracted COVID,” Roque said, referring to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Duterte was at the tent of the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay last Friday to show support for his political allies who filed their COCs.

Duterte had to skip his usual weekend bonding with Carpio and other members of the family, especially now that the mayor is in isolation.

His son Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte is also recovering from COVID, while youngest son Sebastian recovered from the disease weeks ago.

The PSG said it has to make sure that Duterte would not come into contact with Carpio and Paolo while the President is in the city.

Members of the President’s close-in security detail and other concerned staff have to undergo swab test before they are allowed to enter a venue where his presence is expected.