Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31) — Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has contracted COVID-19, his spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.
Marcos’ spokesperson, lawyer Victor Rodriguez, said the former senator and 2016 vice presidential candidate has been in self-isolation since March 14 and that his condition has been improving since then.
“Sinusunod ng dating senador ang health protocol sa mga persons under investigation at taimtim at tahimik nyang tinupad ang ipinaiiral na proseso ng gamutan, ‘tulad ng safety mask at self-quarantine, at walang ingay na inilayo ang kanyang sarili maging sa kanyang pamilya,” Rodriguez said.
[Translation: The former senator has been following health protocols for persons under investigation and has faithfully and silently complied with this, including the use of a mask and going on self-quarantine. He obediently isolated himself even from his family.]
Rodriguez said the senator went to a hospital on the same day after a trip from Europe to get a check-up after experiencing chest pains and wanted to be sure if he had the coronavirus.
But he said Marcos decided to go home because the hospital had too many patients.
Rodriguez said the senator returned to the hospital’s emergency room on March 22 after experiencing difficulty in breathing. He was tested for COVID-19 and was told to go on self-quarantine.
Marcos’ sister, Senator Imee, had previously told reporters that he had undergone a COVID-19 test after coming back from Spain “unwell.”
Unconfirmed reports circulated on Wednesday night that the son of former strongman Ferdinand Marcos contracted pneumonia during his trip to Spain and was intubated in a Metro Manila hospital.
The former senator himself denied this, saying he is recuperating well at home.
“I am deeply touched and overwhelmed by your concern over my condition. Don’t worry, I am doing ok and contrary to popular belief, I am home on self-quarantine,” he said in a statement.
