MANILA, Philippines — A staffer of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. succumbed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the senator announced Sunday.
“I lost my staff and friend of almost 30 years to this COVID-19 this afternoon. I ask everyone for prayers especially para sa kanyang iniwang mga mahal sa buhay (for the loved ones left behind),” Revilla stated in a Facebook post.
Revilla added that everything happened “so fast and sudden,” saying that his staffer has been with him since his days as an actor.
“Salamat sa pagmamahal hindi lang sa akin kundi pati sa aking pamilya – asawa, mga anak, at mga apo – lalo na sa mga panahon ng matinding pagsubok hindi mo ako iniwan. Pero ngayon, napakabilis ka namang kinuha sa amin, at ‘ni huling pamamaalam, hindi namin pwedeng ibigay sa’yo. Napakasakit,” he expressed.
(Thank you for the love you gave not just to me, but also to my family — to my wife, my children and my grandchildren — especially during my hardest time, you never left my side. But now, you were taken away from us so quickly, and I never even a last goodbye. It hurts.)
Aside from Revilla’s staffer, two of Sen. Pia Cayetano’s Senate staff also tested positive for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Senators Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Sen. Sonny Angara also contracted COVID-19.
As of Sunday, the country’s COVID-19 cases rose to 1,418, with 71 deaths and 42 recoveries.