Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 31) – Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado will be on medical leave from August 2 to 13 after contracting COVID-19.
The DBM issued the statement Saturday night amid rumors Avisado resigned or was fired from his post.
The department explained Avisado was hospitalized for eight days following his COVID-19 diagnosis and quarantined for over a month.
Avisado will also undergo a series of examinations upon the advice of his doctor, as it has been 14 years since he had a quadruple open heart bypass, the DBM added.
Undersecretary Tina Rose Canda will act as the officer-in-charge during Avisado’s 12-day medical leave.
“Rest assured that the DBM remains steadfast and committed to its mandate of promoting the efficient and effective management of the national budget to support its budget priorities especially in the midst of the pandemic,” the DBM said in a statement.
Avisado joins the list of government officials who tested positive for COVID-19, including Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, and Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
CNN Philippines correspondent Melissa Luz Lopez contributed to this report.
Avisado’s poor health condition was evident when he frequently coughed during the virtual pre-State of the Nation Address forum last July 16. When asked for an interview by CNN Philippines last June 21, he said he was “currently indisposed.”
