Despite being fully vaccinated, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno still tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is proof of what experts have been saying all along: that vaccinated people can still get the coronavirus but not suffer from severe symptoms, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

During his virtual presser on Monday, August 16, the Palace official wished Moreno “good health” despite the brewing tension between President Duterte and the capital city’s chief executive.

“Hindi naman po talaga sinasabi ng mga eksperto na ang mga bakuna ay garantiya na hindi tayo magkaka-COVID. Ang sinasabi po ng mga eksperto, lahat po ng bakuha natin epektibo para maiwasan ang severe o seryosong pagkakasakit or pagkakamatay dahil po sa COVID-19 (The experts do not claim that the vaccines are a guarantee that we will not get COVID. What the experts are saying is that all vaccines are effective to avoid severe or serious illnesses or deaths because of COVID-19),” he explained.

While wishing Moreno to “get well soon,” the spokesperson also gave his two cents about the Manila mayor’s ordeal.

“So iyang pong karanasan ni Mayor Yorme ngayon, sa tingin ko naman po precaution ang kanyang pag-o-ospital. Pero sa tingin ko po ay siguro po magiging moderate ang kaso niya at hindi na po siya magiging kritikal dahil bakunado na po siya (So, the experience of Mayor Yorme now, I think his being in the hospital is just a precaution. But I think his case will be moderate and he will not become critical because he is vaccinated),” Roque said.

READ: Mayor Isko tests positive for COVID-19

Moreno is confined at the Sta. Ana Hospital for experiencing mild symptoms of COVID-19 such as colds, coughs, and body malaise. The hospital’s director, Dr. Grace Padilla, said that the mayor’s laboratory tests were taken and the initial finding based on his chest CT scan is normal.

His doctors’ clinical impression is that he has a mild case of coronavirus as he is now taking oral antibiotics and vitamins as supplements.

Moreno tested positive for COVID-19 a week after Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna also tested positive for the disease despite being fully vaccinated.

The mayor’s office said that he will continue to be in charge of the city government. His office was sanitized after he received his results.

Last week, President Duterte hurled insults at an unnamed Metro Manila mayor, who is believed to be Moreno, for posing in his “bikini” and for being trained like a “call boy.”

READ: ‘Call boy’ as President? Duterte pokes fun at mayor’s photo in ‘bikini’

Before he joined politics, Moreno starred in movies, some of which have steamy scenes.