By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has agreed to self-quarantine as a precaution against the coronavirus but will continue to work, Malacañang announced Friday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the President’s doctors and the Presidential Security Group (PSG) have advised the President to undergo self-quarantine after exposure to some officials who were in contact with a coronavirus case. Panelo made the announcement on the eve of the President's 75th birthday. "PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) will self-quarantine himself on his birthday tomorrow following the advice of the PSG (Presidential Security Group) as well as doctors for his protection, following his exposure to some officials who themselves have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 victim,” Panelo said in a statement Thursday. "He will continue with his work while on quarantine," he added. Sen. Christopher Go said the President is expected to observe self-quarantine until April 7. Last March 21, several Cabinet members met with lawmakers on the proposed Bayanihan measure at the Palace. ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap, who was present in the meeting, said last March 26 that he was told he tested positive for the coronavirus. Some of these Cabinet members later attended a March 24 meeting with President Duterte at the PSG compound where he announced the national action plan on the coronavirus to be led by former military officials. After Yap confirmed his coronavirus infection, concerned Cabinet members were compelled to enter self-quarantine. PSG commander Col. Jesus Durante III also placed all PSG personnel on lockdown from March 28 to April 10. He has advised the PSG personnel and their dependents to go on self-quarantine and stay in their respective quarters. Durante earlier said the PSG may file a case against Yap for the breach of coronavirus protocols at the Palace. He said the lawmaker failed to disclose relevant information in the health declaration form given to Palace guests. However, on Friday night, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) released a statement clarifying that Yap does not have COVID-19, and that he was the victim of a "clerical oversight." RITM said the person who was responsible for the "encoding error" was an "augmentation staff" and did not belong to the laboratory's regular workforce. "Rep. Yap remains negative of COVID-19," RITM said. The President, meantime, is expected to mark his birthday in home quarantine. Panelo said the President's only birthday wish is "for our countrymen to stay home and the total eradication of the coronavirus.” Duterte has been staying at his official residence in Manila since he declared a Luzon-wide lockdown to quell the spread of the new coronavirus disease.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the President’s doctors and the Presidential Security Group (PSG) have advised the President to undergo self-quarantine after exposure to some officials who were in contact with a coronavirus case. Panelo made the announcement on the eve of the President's 75th birthday. "PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) will self-quarantine himself on his birthday tomorrow following the advice of the PSG (Presidential Security Group) as well as doctors for his protection, following his exposure to some officials who themselves have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 victim,” Panelo said in a statement Thursday. "He will continue with his work while on quarantine," he added. Sen. Christopher Go said the President is expected to observe self-quarantine until April 7. Last March 21, several Cabinet members met with lawmakers on the proposed Bayanihan measure at the Palace. ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap, who was present in the meeting, said last March 26 that he was told he tested positive for the coronavirus. Some of these Cabinet members later attended a March 24 meeting with President Duterte at the PSG compound where he announced the national action plan on the coronavirus to be led by former military officials. After Yap confirmed his coronavirus infection, concerned Cabinet members were compelled to enter self-quarantine. PSG commander Col. Jesus Durante III also placed all PSG personnel on lockdown from March 28 to April 10. He has advised the PSG personnel and their dependents to go on self-quarantine and stay in their respective quarters. Durante earlier said the PSG may file a case against Yap for the breach of coronavirus protocols at the Palace. He said the lawmaker failed to disclose relevant information in the health declaration form given to Palace guests. However, on Friday night, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) released a statement clarifying that Yap does not have COVID-19, and that he was the victim of a "clerical oversight." RITM said the person who was responsible for the "encoding error" was an "augmentation staff" and did not belong to the laboratory's regular workforce. "Rep. Yap remains negative of COVID-19," RITM said. The President, meantime, is expected to mark his birthday in home quarantine. Panelo said the President's only birthday wish is "for our countrymen to stay home and the total eradication of the coronavirus.” Duterte has been staying at his official residence in Manila since he declared a Luzon-wide lockdown to quell the spread of the new coronavirus disease.