Senior Deputy Speaker and Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Doy Leachon and his wife, Calapan City Councilor Rona Leachon have caught COVID-19.
The House leader took to social media the anxiety and fear brought about the coronavirus disease to his life as well as his wife and how they fought for their lives.
He said they traveled to Manila to spend Christmas with their three children -Red, Beige and Cyan and have personal break from grueling work schedule.
"#Nguni’t ang kagalakan at “excitement” ng Kapaskuhan ay naglaho, na biglang nabalot ng pangamba, ng matinding takot at #pakikipaglaban sa buhay. Sa isang iglap na reflection at balik-tanaw, hindi maiwasang masabi ko, “kung sapat na ba ang naging City Mayor ako at maging Congressman na di ko naman pinangarap nguni’t napagsilbihan ko ng maayos”, kahit masakit tanggapin at takot, patuloy kong nasabi dahil sa hirap na ng aking naramdaman “kung kaloob Mo na po, tatanggapin ko na po siguro”,” he said in a Facebook post on Saturday evening.
(But, the joy and excitement of Christmas disappeared, gripped by worry, great fear and fight for life. In a snap of reflection, I cannot help but asked, “if it was enough that I became mayor and congressman which I didn’t dream of but I served well”, even though it is difficult to accept, I told myself because of what I am experiencing, “if this is Your will, I will accept it.)
"Ang inaalala ko lang nga, si RL noon ay kasabay ko na nasa parehong sitwasyon kaya nasabi ko pa, “eh paano po ang aming mga anak lalo na si Cyan na 8 years old pa lang kung sabay kaming mawala”.
(What I am worried about is that RL (his wife) is also experiencing the same situation, that’s why I told myself, “how about our children, especially Cyan who is just 8 years old if we will at the same time pass away.)
Rep. Leachon said he lost his sense of his smell, while his wife had on and off fever for almost six days.
"Ngayon ko po sasabihin na di biro ang #COVID-19. Wag nating biruin. Wag nating ipawalang bahala. Dahil di po biro ang aking dinanas,” he said.
(I am telling now that COVID-19 is not a joke. Let us not take it lightly. Let us not take it for granted. Because what I experienced is not a joke.)
Leachon then assured all his children are fine.
Leachon thanked the opportunity to thank his two doctors, including his older brother, Dr. Anthony Leachon who looked after them, for those who took care of them for 10 days, and for those who prayed for them.
Leachon is the 12th member of the House of Representatives who tested positive for COVID-19.
In a Facebook post last Jan. 6, Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel “Mannix” Dalipe disclosed that he and members of his immediate family have all caught the disease.
Among the lawmakers who tested positive for COVID-19 were Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, 1-Pacman Rep. Eric Pineda, Cavite 6th District Rep. Luis “Jon-Jon” Ferrer IV, Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Bulacan 4th District Rep. Henry Villarica, Sulu 1st District Rep. Samier Tan, Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza, Senior Citizens Rep. Francisco Datol Jr., and Sorsogon 2nd District Rep. Ditas Ramos.
Datol and Ramos died of COVID-19 in August and September last year.