By Aquiles Z. Zonio
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Sen. Manny
Pacquiao revealed on Saturday that he tested negative of coronavirus disease
(Covid-19) after going through a test using the Rapid Test Kit donated to him
by a close friend from South Korea.
“The Rapid Test Kit was being
used in South Korea. In fact, the use of Rapid Test Kit was already approved by health authorities there.
Here, it is yet to be approved by the Food and Drugs Administration,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao bared that many had been
convincing him to undergo COVID-19 test before the RITM, but he declined saying
he wants to give utmost priority to ordinary Filipinos.
“I don’t want to add to the long
queue of Persons Under Investigations who are waiting for their turn to undergo
COVID-19 test,” Pacquiao said.
Some VIPs, especially
politicians, were criticized in social media for being given preferential
treatment by the government agencies conducting the Covid-19 test.
As of the moment, Pacquiao
declared he has not shown any signs of symptoms.
“I am willing to undergo swab
testing anytime if I experience symptoms,” he said.
Pacquiao added that immediately
after attending in the Senate’s March 23 special session he went on a
self-quarantine in compliance with the health protocols imposed by the
government.
The Senate approved during last
Monday session the proposed measure giving President Duterte an emergency
powers to address the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in the country.
In a 12-0 vote, the upper house
approved Senate Bill No. 1418 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act” authored by
Senate President Tito Sotto III and Senator Pia Cayetano.
Pacquiao issued an official
statement in reaction to the declaration issued by the Dasmarinas Village
Association (DVA) putting him in the list of Persons Under Monitoring (PUM).
“Even before I received the
letter coming from Dasmarinas village chair Rosanna Hwang, I already adopted a
self-quarantine measure,” Pacquiao said in a statement.
“Starting March 23, upon arrival
home from the Senate special session, I have not gone anywhere. I just stayed
home with my family,” Pacquiao stated.
Pacquiao said he was eager to
attend the recent turn-over rites of the 57,600 Test Kits donated by his
Chinese friend Jack Ma to the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, but he decided to just
stay at home.
In a mobile phone interview,
Pacquiao said “As a leader we should set a good example to our people. We must
obey the law.”
Pacquiao added that he felt sad
that some of his esteemed colleagues in the Senate turned out positive for
Covid-19.
“I was considered as Person Under
Monitoring for attending the Senate session and interacting with my fellow
senators. It is part of my sworn duty.
So I understand and I don’t begrdge Dasmarinas Village Association for
declaring me as PUM,” the Mindanaoan senator said.
He urged all Filipinos to
cooperate and follow the law to help the government efficiently combat the
COVID-19 scourge.
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