BACOLOD CITY – Three local officials were among 10 persons who traveled to Japan with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo ‘’Albee’’ Benitez and tested positive for Covid-19.
This was confirmed on Thursday, Nov. 10, by former Councilor Caesar Distrito, legal counsel of Team Asenso, the political party of Benitez.
Their results came out three days after Benitez announced last Monday, Nov. 7, that he tested positive for Covid-19 upon his arrival in Manila from an official leave in Japan.
He has mild symptoms and is working from home.
Distrito, in a statement, said that the three local officials were Rep. Greg Gasataya and Councilors Simple Distrito and Jude Thaddeus Sayson.
Upon arrival, all of them immediately took a swab test and isolated themselves.
Distrito, who also joined the trip, said that all of those who tested positive were in good condition and mostly asymptomatic or with very mild symptoms. They are all in isolation, he added.
He said that those who tested negative opted for voluntary isolation.
Distrito assured that all of them were fully vaccinated, and will comply with the protocol of seven-day isolation, as they continue to work at home.
In fact, he said that all of them attended their regular session virtually.
Others who joined the trip were Councilors Al Victor Espino, Vladimir Gonzalez, Jason Villarosa, Claudio Puentevella, Celia Flor, and Pao Sy, former Councilors Sonya Verdeflor and Bart Orola, former Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Patrick Lacson, and 11 barangay chairmen here.
The seven others who tested positive for Covid-19 were not named.