Duterte tested negative for Covid-19

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte remains “fit and healthy” to fulfill his mandate as the country’s highest elected official after he tested negative for 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Senator Christopher Lawrence Go announced on Friday.

Go made the announcement, a day ahead of the anticipated release of the test results.

In a text message sent to Palace reporters, Go said he also tested negative for Covid-19.

”The results of the tests for Covid-19 conducted on President Rodrigo Duterte and I turned out negative.

We are fit and healthy to perform our duties,” he said.

Malacañang has yet to issue an official statement.

Duterte and Go underwent tests for Covid-19 at Bahay Pagbabago in Malacañan on Thursday.

The two decided to have themselves tested after they recent meeting with some Cabinet members who have direct exposure to a Covid-19 patient.

The tests by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine was supposed to be released on Saturday.

Go assured that he and Duterte would continue to “seriously” take precautionary measures and comply with the advice of health officials for them to “remain healthy” and avoid the spread of the Covid-19.

“Now more than ever, we as elected officials should do everything we can to be of service to the Filipino people. The government as a whole should still do its job in a manner that will not put the health of others at risk. Hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban ang tulong sa kapwa Pilipino, tuloy tuloy dapat ang serbisyo. (We cannot stop assisting Filipinos. Public service should continue),” he said.