Senator Manny Pacquiao. File photo by Cesar Tomambo/Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao on Saturday said he will seek an investigation into the leaked private letter issued by Barangay Dasmariñas in Makati City calling his household members to undertake self-quarantine.
The senator was referring to the documents that went viral on social media, showing that barangay officials asked people inside Pacquiao’s house to stay indoors as the senator has been identified as a person under monitoring for possible COVID-19, and was seen with Senator Koko Pimentel who contracted the respiratory disease.
“It has come to my attention that your letter that has been subject of several news reports and malicious social media posts,” read Pacquiao’s letter sent to the barangay officials.
“In this regard, I wish to know how this private letter addressed to me went around social media with total disregard to my right to privacy. Meantime, I will refer this matter to the appropriate agency for proper investigation to avoid the same incident from happening,” it added.
Pacquiao also stressed that he and his family have been observing social distancing prior to barangay officials’ directive.
“Prior to your directive the members of my family and I have been observing proper social distancing and have once again placed ourselves on quarantine since March 24, Tuesday,” read the letter.
The senator said he has his staff to get their essential needs, noting that the latter had no direct contact with his family who are staying at his home in Forbes.
He also appealed to the local government officials to allow his household members to buy essential goods outside their home and provide a quarantine pass.
“With all due respect, may you please allow a member of my household to go out to buy or do essentials pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force guidelines? Accordingly, kindly have the appropriate quarantine pass delivered to my residence,” he said.
He also said that he was having a political meeting with COVID-19 positive Senator Koko Pimentel and other Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan members but not “partying” as what barangay officials said in their private letter.
Pacuiao, who is also a boxing champ, earlier announced that he tested negative for the coronavirus disease after using rapid testing kits from South Korea.