JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay test positive for COVID-19

Senators JV Ejercito and Nancy Binay on Friday said they tested positive for COVID-19.

“Tested positive for COVID-19 according to RT-PCR test yesterday morning, result of which was e-mailed late last night,” Ejercito told GMA News Online in a Viber message.

“No symptoms at all. Just had myself tested yesterday because so many senators are now positive,” he added.

In a separate Viber message to GMA News Online, Binay also confirmed that she tested positive for COVID-19.

“I am currently at home under quarantine, and strictly following recommended protocols, including health and safety procedures,” she added.

So far, there are seven senators who contracted the respiratory disease since the start of the 19th Congress.

Following the string of COVID-19 cases among senators, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiru said they are planning to close down the Senate for disinfection.

“We might close down the Senate muna to disinfect,” he said.

On Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva announced that he also contracted COVID-19.

Other senators who also tested positive for COVID-19 are Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos and Alan Peter Cayetano.

Cayetano had already recovered from the disease. He started attending the Senate sessions physically last Monday. — KBK/RSJ, GMA News