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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Two House members test positive for COVID-19

Two House members test positive for COVID-19

Published Mar 16, 2021 07:29 pm

Two members of the House of Representatives have contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the lawmakers have disclosed.

Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Michael Defensor and Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong are undergoing self-quarantine in their respective homes in Metro Manila.

Defensor disclosed there are also seven people in the household who tested positive for COVID-19, adding that it had been two weeks since he got infected.

It is not known, however, if the former chairman of the House Committee on Public Trust, was already infected when he delivered on March 1 a privilege speech exposing the alleged P20 billion realigned pension and gratuity funds for retired military personnel.

Defensor believes he has recovered from the dreaded disease although he will be able to ascertain this condition when he undergoes another RT-PCR test on Wednesday, March 17.

Limkaichong, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, confirmed she has tested positive for COVID-19 despite taking all the necessary precautions to avoid being infected.

“I am taking the necessary steps to recover from the virus,” she said.

The Lower House has been taking extra steps to prevent the spread of the disease that has killed two lawmakers, Reps. Ditas Ramos of Sorsogon and Francisco Datol Jr. of the Senior Citizens Partylist. Employes and officials are being asked to undergo antigen tests on a weekly basis for them to be allowed entry to the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

However, officials no longer announce the COVID 19 situation in the chamber since the start of 2021.

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