Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 17) — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced he has once again tested positive for COVID-19.
Because of this, the entire 2022 budget will be delayed, he noted.
Sotto also announced tighter protocols for those visiting the Senate. Visitors should present results of their RT-PCR or anti-gen tests taken within 24 hours to be granted entry.
Lorenzana told CNN Philippines he took the swab test on Tuesday after physically attending a Senate budget hearing.
“Yes, confirmed, I am positive. I had my test yesterday afternoon. The result came out this morning,” he wrote in a text message on Wednesday.
Lorenzana, who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, said he has no symptoms. He added that he will undergo another swab test after observing his condition in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Senate budget debates will be suspended until Monday as a precautionary measure, according to Senate President Tito Sotto.
“To play safe, we will suspend budget deliberations until all those who were exposed to him yesterday will have an RT-PCR test by Saturday or Sunday,” he said, adding disinfection will also be done in the meantime.
A photo posted on the Senate’s Facebook page showed Hungarian delegates were present during Tuesday’s session, as the upper chamber presented a resolution commending the National Assembly of Hungary for strengthening its inter-parliamentary ties with the Philippines.
Several lawmakers were photographed without face masks, although Lorenzana was not present in the picture.
The 73-year-old Defense chief returned last Sunday from an official trip to Europe, where he met with his counterparts in Spain and Poland, Department of National Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said.
He also tested positive for COVID-19 last April.
