Labor chief’s ‘favorite’ sister dies of Covid-19

FILE: Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III during a press conference on Thursday (Sept. 27, 2018), which is held at the DOLE main office in Intramuros, Manila. (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

MANILA – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Saturday said his “favorite” sister Catherine died of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

He confirmed the news during the Laging Handa Briefing telecast live on PTV-4, where he was one of the guests of the program hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar and Undersecretary Rocky Ignacio.

“(She was the) First to die among 10 children,” Bello said.

”Pumasok siya March 25, nandoon sya. It was determined na-contaminate sya ng Covid-19 (She went to work March 25; she was there. It was determined that she got contaminated with Covid-19). She was about to recover, I don’t know kung ano nangyari (what happened), nag-relapse (she relapsed), then just this morning we received the news that my sister, my favorite dead sister Cathy already left us,” Bello added.

Meanwhile, a labor group has expressed its sympathy to the Bello family.

“The Federation of Free Workers sends our deepest sympathy to the Bello family. Please join us in offering a prayer for the peaceful rest of Catherine H. Bello, sister of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III,” the group said in a statement.

“Cathy is the chief of staff of Secretary Bello. She was the most kind and accommodating staff of the DOLE Secretary, May her angels usher her to God’s loving embrace. May God comforts her family in this profoundly difficult time of grief and sorrow,” the group said.