Senator Manny Pacquiao said he will continue to seek ways on how to aid fellow Filipinos in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic despite being on self-quarantine.
“Kahit naka-home quarantine, patuloy po akong maghahanap ng paraan upang makatulong sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa ating mga magigiting na frontliners,” he said in a statement released on Saturday.
“Marami pa pong test kits at medical supplies na darating na magagamit ng ating mga health workers sa buong bansa. Magkakaroon din po ng allocation ang DOH Regional Centers sa Visayas at Mindanao,” he added.
Pacquiao on Friday turned over 57,000 units of COVID-19 test kits, which were donated by his Chinese billionaire friend Jack Ma, to San Lazaro Hospital infectious disease head scientist Dr. Rontgene Solante and representatives from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
He also donated 700,000 face masks to COVID-19 frontliners last week.
He also donated five buses to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to provide free rides to healthcare workers and other frontliners amid the suspension of mass public transport during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
On Saturday, Pacquiao announced that he tested negative for the coronavirus using a rapid testing kit from South Korea.
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala. May natanggap po akong Rapid Testing Kits mula sa aking mga kaibigan sa South Korea. Gamit ang rapid test kit na approved sa Korea, ako po ay nag-negatibo. Hindi pa approved ng FDA dito pero yon po ang ginagamit sa Korea,” he said.
The senator also clarified in the statement that even before the leaked barangay letter told him to stay at home after having contact with confirmed COVID-19 positive Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, he had already decided to go on home quarantine.
‘Mga kababayan, nais ko pong linawin na bago ko pa man natanggap ang sulat mula kay Barangay Captain Rosanna Hwang, nakapagdesisyon na po akong mag-home quarantine,” he said.
He further said: “Pagkatapos po ng Special Session sa Senado noong Lunes, March 23, ay hindi na po ako lumabas ng aming bahay.”
He also called on the public to do their part in containing the spread of the virus and to keep the faith in this time of crisis.
“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na makipagtulungan sa ating pamahalaan. Gawin po natin ang nararapat. Patuloy din po tayong magdasal at manalig sa Panginoon. Sa kanya po tayo humugot ng lakas at pag-asa. Malalampasan natin itong pagsubok, mga kababayan. Tiwala lang.”
