A personnel of the Senate's Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) passed away on Wednesday morning due to suspected COVID-19.
A source from the Senate said a male member of the OSAA died at around 9 a.m. of July 1, identifying him as the "first" COVID-19 fatality among the chamber's plantilla workers.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the 62-year-old employee was rushed to the hospital days before he died due to pneumonia.
"But not yet confirmed if COVID-19 because he was tested yesterday only," Sotto told reporters later.
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Rene Samonte, however, clarified that the OSAA personnel was "not yet confirmed as COVID case."
"He was tested yesterday, no result yet, died this morning," Samonte said in a text message.
Senate Secretary Myra Villarica said in a separate message that the "cause of death is pneumonia."
"He was swabbed for COVID but the results are not out yet. So we cannot confirm anything yet," she said.
The OSAA is responsible for the security and maintenance of order in the Senate, and provides physical and logical security for the senators and their staff, as well as other Senate offices.
Last week, two Senate employees tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the chamber to 16.
Thirteen have already recovered from the disease. A consultant of Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. died last March due to COVID-19.