Isabela lawmaker isolates self after Yap tests positive for COVID-19

Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano. PHOTO from https://www.congress.gov.ph

CITY OF ILAGAN, ISABELA –– Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano said he underwent “serious self-isolation again for 14 days,” because he had been in contact with Act-CIS Partylist Rep. Eric Yap, who had tested positive for COVID-19.

“We were the few lawmakers who went to Congress to pass the emergency powers for President Duterte to fight this deadly virus for all of you. Congressman Eric and I worked closely together [for 20 hours] to fix and amend this bill with everyone else. I practiced social distancing with everyone there, but I had my mask off at times when we were all eating and working,” Albano recalled.

Albano said his asthma would force him to remove his mask for more than ten minutes. “So, I take it off and stay away from my colleagues. I hope that was enough in an air-conditioned congressional hall and dining area,” he said.

“We bravely went to work and two of our congressmen are now positive with COVIC-19, two congressional staff have died, and many more are patients under investigation and persons under monitoring,” Albano lamented following social media criticisms against lawmakers for abusing or ignoring COVID protocols.

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