By Mario Casayuran
Opposition Senator Francis N. Pangilinan said Monday he did not attend the Senate special session because he had been exposed to a COVID-19 positive person.
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan (Senate of the Philippines)
In his Twitter post, Pangilinan issued this statement:
‘’I am currently on the 13th day of self-quarantine. Upon the advice of my doctor and consistent with the DOH (Department of Health) strict protocols on Persons Under Monitoring (PUM), I am constrained to stay at home in order to avoid the possibility of infecting others. Should I be positive yet asymptomatic. I have not been tested. Last Saturday night, experienced a dry cough and I am now under observation.
‘’My doctor (my younger sister, Donna) has advised me to monitor the cough. According to her, it may be viral or since I have a history of acid reflux, it may be an acid reflux induced cough. I have no fever. I have no cold. The above mentioned development plus the 14-day self quarantine are the reasons why I am unable to attend today’s special session.
‘’I am, however, in direct communication with a number of colleagues who in turn are in communications with senators in attendance so that we may introduce them our proposed amendment
‘’The Senate minority through Senators (Franklin M.) Drilon, (Risa) Hontiveros and myself have also written the Senate leadership requesting that our rules be suspended to we can go into teleconferencing. This is still to be decided.
‘’We are working to ensure that the bill finally approved into law will be an effective tool in defeating the pandemic now wreaking havoc on our nation and our people. God guide, bless and protect us all, our nation and our people.’’