Presidential spokesman Harry Roque tested positive for COVID-19 while Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto underwent a two-week quarantine after his driver contracted the novel coronavirus disease and subsequently died from it.
“Exactly one year after (the imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine), COVID-19 caught up with me. I received my results that I am positive for COVID-19,” Roque said yesterday after getting swabbed Sunday as part of the protocol before any scheduled meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.
Roque, who said he was asymptomatic, said he was shocked that he contracted the infection, saying he has taken necessary health precautions, including regular testing.
“To those whom I had a close contact with, I ask you for your indulgence, but you need to place yourself on quarantine,” said.
Sotto, for his part, tested negative for COVID-19 but will still complete the prescribed two-week quarantine.
“I took the COVID-19 test Sunday since I am a close contact. We will strictly follow health protocols. I will temporarily not go to work and I have cancelled all my appointments or meetings. If possible, I will continue doing my work through Zoom, Viber, text and phone calls,” he said.
Sotto said he last saw his driver, Vener, Wednesday. The latter died on Saturday.
For his part, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate described Roque as “pasaway” (stubborn) and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas, who also contracted the disease, as the epitome of “impunity.”
“Sec. Roque is the ultimate example of ‘pasaway’ for visiting different places in the country as if daring the COVID virus to infect him. From socializing with dolphins to going out without a mask or face shield and attending fiestas, he’s done all those,” Zarate said in a statement.
Sinas, on the other hand, reportedly skipped triage during his visit in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on the same day that he received his positive swab test result.
Zarate then described Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas, who has also tested positive, as the epitome of impunity.
“He may have infected many people in the gatherings he attended. Yet, until now, he has not been sanctioned for his careless actions endangering the lives of many citizens,” the lawmaker said, referring to Sinas’ controversial birthday mañanita party in May 2020.
Calapan Mayor Arnan Panaligan, however, said Sinas was allowed to the province under the relaxed travel measures adopted by the government’s Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19.
The uniform protocol removed required documents such as travel authority, medical certificate, and quarantine if the visitor shows no symptoms.
“The IATF relaxed its rules on travel…We cannot yet establish violation of protocols because the only requirements are online registration and confirmation. He went through those processes,” Panaligan said.
Local police officers who were exposed to Sinas have been isolated and have yet to show symptoms, the mayor added.