Robredo’s COVID-19 antigen test negative but still under 7-day quarantine after Naga visit

FILE Senator Richard Gordon and Vice President Leni Robredo

MANILA, Philippines — Despite her COVID-19 antigen test coming out as negative, Vice President Leni Robredo still went through a seven-day home quarantine after her official trip to Camarines Sur recently.

According to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) spokesperson Barry Gutierrez, Robredo also got an RT-PCR COVID-19 test — considered the gold standard of COVID-19 testing — but the results have yet to return.

“Dahil nagpunta si VP Leni sa Naga noong weekend, siya ay nag-undergo din ng test, ng antigen test so negative naman.  Right now nag-undertake siya ng RT-PCR test at hinihintay namin ang resulta pero so far wala,” Gutierrez told One News PH’s Sa Totoo Lang on Thursday, transcripts of which were sent out by OVP.

(Because VP Leni went to Naga during the weekend, she also underwent a test, an antigen test which came out negative.  Right now she also took an RT-PCR test and we’re waiting for the result but so far there’s none yet.)

“Kailangan niyang mag seven-day quarantine. So ngayon naka-quarantine siya and so far iyong resulta naman ng antigen test ay negative,” he added.

(She needs to do a seven-day quarantine.  So now, she is under quarantine, so the result of that antigen test was negative.)

During the interview, Gutierrez was asked about Robredo’s status as it was confirmed that she met with Senator Richard Gordon, who recently announced that he tested positive for the disease.  However, it was not clarified whether the meeting between the two officials happened virtually, or if it was done face-to-face.

Prior to this week, Robredo held different interviews and went to various programs and events — from meetings at the Quezon City Reception House last July 20, visiting the Vaccine Express initiative in Manila on July 21 and 22, and then going to Naga in Camarines Sur for the launch of the Vaccine Express program in the city.

Gordon, on the other hand, announced that he got the virus this Wednesday.

READ: Gordon tests positive for COVID-19 

Both Gordon and fellow Senator Panfilo Lacson said that they separately met with Robredo during the past week.  This was eventually confirmed by OVP, with Gutierrez saying that the discussion centered on possibly building an alliance for the 2022 elections.

READ: OVP confirms Robredo’s separate meetings with Lacson, Gordon for 2022 polls 

Robredo is rumored to be eyeing for the presidency, but she and Gutierrez have maintained several times that they are still keeping options open and that any decision would consider the welfare of the opposition.

READ: Robredo urges supporters: Don’t think we’re the only ones who are good 

READ: Robredo OK with unity among opposition in 2022 polls — spox