Sotto on taking COVID-19 test: I did not ask to be prioritized

Senate President Vicente Sotto III (Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday clarified that while he did take a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test from the Department of Health (DOH), he did not asked to be prioritized.

Sotto issued the clarification amid recent issues hounding the use of COVID-19 testing by several high-ranking officials, even though they did not manifest symptoms.

READ: Gov’t officials crowd out patients for COVID-19 testing

He said he was first tested last March 16 “with the help of a friend from the private sector” who had a testing kit which was not yet accredited by the DOH and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

He said he decided to take this test to “ensure that I can still perform my duties and meet key people to help address the needs of our country in this trying times.”

“Its accuracy has not been certified yet and it is a very simple testing strip with instant results. This testing kit is different from what the DOH is using right now,” Sotto said in a statement.

He said his March 16 test turned out negative but since he was manifesting dry cough and sore throat “for days now” as well as due to his age and exposure to individuals suspected of having the disease, he decided to undergo a confirmatory test.

“It’s been a week now and to clarify this, I haven’t received the results as I never asked to be prioritized,” he said.

“I know that a number of PUIs need the DOH-approved test kits more. In fact, I am hoping and monitoring that this instant testing kits be accredited to be of use as soon as possible by the DOH,” he added.