Kabilang sina Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla at Senator Francis Tolentino sa public officials na nagpa-COVID-19 test.
Ito ay sa kabila ng kakulangan ng test kits sa bansa, at sa kabila ng health protocol na dapat unahin ang mga 60-anyos pataas at ang mga nakararanas ng maraming sintomas.
Ikinagalit ito ng publiko at binatikos ang mga pulitikong gumagamit umano ng "palakasan system."
Matapos makatanggap ng matinding pambabatikos, nag-public apology sina Remulla at Tolentino.
Sa pamamagitan ng Twitter noong March 18, ito ang pahayag ni Remulla:
“Last Monday I had attended a meeting regarding mitigation measures for Covid-19 in Cavite.
“All participants, including me, were thermal scanned and came out clean.
"Unfortunately, I just learned a few minutes ago that one of the participants had been running symptoms.
“So, in the spirit of transparency, I had myself swabbed and the samples sent to RITM for verification.
“There’s a protocol and triage algorithm set by DOH that I may have skipped.
“I take full responsibility if you think I took advantage of my position.
“I am not exempted nor immune to the virus, no one is.
"I would like to apologise and I promise never take advantage of my position again.”
SENATOR TOLENTINO
Nag-viral naman ang Facebook post ni Senator Tolentino kahapon, March 22, kung saan sinabi niyang negative siya sa COVID-19.
Kalakip ng post ang larawan niya kasama ang isang medical personnel na nagsagawa ng COVID-19 testing sa senador.
Ikinagalit ito ng maraming netizens.
Dahil dito ay binura ng mambabatas ang kanyang post.
Kaagad din siyang humingi ng paumanhin sa kanyang ginawa.
Saad ni Tolentino, na taga-Cavite rin: “My negative result was not a DOH test.
“I apologize for undertaking the same as I was likewise exposed to the persons positive with COVID-19 whom my colleagues got in contact with during our hearings.
“Further, my colds and dry cough had persisted during my self-quarantine period, thus I took the test after my self cough medication appeared insufficient after four (4) days.
“If I came out positive, I would have posted it as well to inform the people especially those who came in contact with me.
“My apologies to those offended.”
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