A Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) official succumbed to the coronavirus disease while Senior Deputy Speaker and Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Doy Leachon and his wife, Calapan City Councilor Rona Leachon (RL) have contracted COVID-19.

DoLE Undersecretary Joji Aragon, 58, succumbed to cardiac arrest from COVID-19.

"It is believed that she contracted the virus following a procedure she underwent in the second week of December last year," DoLE said in a statement.

The Labor department asked prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Aragon, head of their advocacy, productivity, and legislative cluster.

"The entire DoLE family, headed by Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, grieves her untimely demise," said DoLE.

Fighting for their lives

Rep. Leachon took to social media to express his anxiety and fear brought about by the coronavirus disease and how he and his wife fought for their lives.

He said they traveled to Manila to spend Christmas with their three children -- Red, Beige, and Cyan -- and to have a break from their 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 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 smell while his wife had on-and-off fever for almost six days.

"Ngayon ko po sasabihin na hindi biro ang COVID-19. Wag nating biruin. Wag nating ipawalang bahala. Dahil di po biro ang aking dinanas,” he said. (I am saying 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 assured that his children are fine and thanked his two doctors, including his older brother, Dr. Anthony Leachon, who looked after them, and all 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 had all caught the disease.

Among the lawmakers who have tested positive for COVID-19 are 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.