De Lima tests negative for COVID-19; now under hospital care
PPE-clad Senator Leila De Lima attends the resumption of hearing of her drug case at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 256 on Feb. 9, 2021). Photo courtesy of Sen. De Lima’s office.
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Leila De Lima has tested negative for coronavirus disease as she is put under hospital care on Saturday to undergo medical examination after experiencing bouts of headaches and persistent generalized weakness.
This came after De Lima’s request for a medical furlough was granted by the courts following an appeal of her physician that she may have suffered a mild stroke while in detention on drug charges.
“Lumabas na yung swab result ni Sen. Leila. Negative (Senator Leila’s swab results have turned out to be negative),” Atty. Fhillip Sawali, De Lima’s Chief-of-Staff said in a text message.
De Lima arrived at a Manila hospital for treatment on Saturday after Branches 205 and 256 of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court both issued separate orders giving a three-day furlough starting April 24, at 10:00 a.m.
De Lima’s camp filed a very urgent motion for medical furlough last Wednesday, after she complained of headache and weakness.
Upon being checked, her physician Dr. Meophilla Santos-Cao said that it might be possible that the senator had experienced mild stroke, and recommended that she undergo further check ups at a hospital since these are not available at the PNP Hospital in Camp Crame.
De Lima is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center due to drug-related charges stemming from her stint as Justice secretary during the term of former President Benigno Aquino III
