Basilan lawmaker, wife get COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman and his wife, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia, have tested positive for the new coronavirus disease and are now on home quarantine.

The House deputy speaker confirmed on Saturday that he and his wife underwent an antigen test on Thursday after they both experienced a fit of coughing.

According to Hataman, they are still awaiting the test results of their children and others who are living with them.

“We are on quarantine at the moment and we have also done steps in order to make our home safe,” Hataman said, lamenting that he and his wife carefully followed the usual safety measures.

A note compiled by his legislative staff showed that the deputy speaker traveled to Davao on July 13 and made a stop in Cotabato City on July 14 on his return trip to Basilan.

Hataman reportedly underwent an antigen test on July 18, three days after his arrival in Basilan, and the results came out negative four days later.

On July 25, he received a visitor at home and developed an itchy throat that evening. The sore throat worsened into a cough over the next three days.

—Melvin Gascon