A Mindanao congressman is asking for "prayers of healing" after he and four of his family members tested positive for COVID-19.
Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe told his constituents about his family's plight Wednesday morning via Facebook video shot on his hospital bed. He wore a hospital gown, a surgical mask, and spoke mostly in Chavacano.
"With your prayers, we would be able to recover, to heal," said Rep. Dalipe, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.
He said that his father, former Mayor Manny Dalipe, was the first to contract the disease.
"Thank you for your prayers of healing for my Dad, former Mayor Manny. Please also include us, my wife Keenah, my two daughters, Margaret and Baby Madison in your prayers as we are also found positive for COVID-19," read the caption that came with his video post.
"Five members of the Dalipe family are now bravely fighting the COVID virus. Please continue to pray for us as we also pray for everyone's health and safety," it further read.
It is not clear how many House members or congressmen have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began last year.
A mass testing last November 10, the first in the chamber, yielded 98 positive test results. However, the House leadership has yet to give a breakdown of the results.
Before November 10, over 80 House members and staff were reported to have been afflicted with COVID-19.
At least two congressmen, Senior Citizens Party-List Rep. Francisco "Jun" Datol Jr. and Sorsogon 2nd district Rep. Ma. Bernardita "Ditas" Ramos, have passed away due to the dreaded disease. Datol died in August 2020, while Ramos died the following month.