PACQUIAO IN SELF-QUARANTINE; TESTED NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19 AFTER RAPID TEST
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 28 Mar 2020
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Sen. Manny Pacquiao bared that immediately after the Senate’s March 23 special session, he went on a self-quarantine in compliance with the health protocols imposed by the government.
The Senate approved during last Monday session the proposed measure giving President Duterte an emergency powers to address the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in the country.
In a 12-0 vote, the upper house approved Senate Bill No. 1418 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act” authored by Senate President Tito Sotto III and Senator Pia Cayetano.
“Even before I received the letter coming from Dasmariñas village chair Rosanna Hwang, I already adopted a self-quarantine measure,” Pacquiao said in a statement.
“Starting March 23, upon arrival home from the Senate special session, I have not gone anywhere. I just stayed home with my family,” Pacquiao claimed.
Pacquiao revealed that he was eager to attend the turn-over rites of the 57,600 Test Kits donated by his Chinese friend Jack Ma to the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, but he decided to just stay at home.
In a mobile phone interview, Pacquiao said “As a leader we should set a good example to our people. We must obey the law.”
Pacquiao added that he felt sad that some of his esteemed colleagues in the Senate turned out positive for Covid-19.
“I was considered as Person Under Monitoring for attending the Senate session and interacting with my fellow senators. It is part of my sworn duty. So I understand and I don’t begrudge Dasmariñas Village Association for declaring me as PUM,” the Mindanaoan senator said.
According to Pacquiao he turned out negative of COVID-19 using one of the Rapid Testing Kits donated to him by a close friend from South Korea.
“The Rapid Test Kit was being used and approved by health authorities in South Korea. Here, it is yet to be approved by the Department of Health and Food and Drugs Administration,” he said.
The boxer-lawmaker bared that many had been convincing him to undergo COVID-19 test before the RITM, but he wants to give utmost priority to ordinary Filipinos.
“I don’t want to add to the long queue of Persons Under Investigations who are waiting for their turn to undergo COVID-19 test,” Pacquiao said.
As of the moment, the Pinoy boxing champ said he has not shown any signs of symptoms.
“I am willing to undergo swab testing anytime if I experience symptoms,” he said.
He urged all Filipinos to cooperate and follow the law to help the government efficiently combat the COVID-19 scourge.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
By Eric Armit, Wed, 17 Sep 2025TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
Wed, 17 Sep 2025“Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
Wed, 17 Sep 2025Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Sep 2025A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Sep 2025Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 17 Sep 2025Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
Wed, 17 Sep 2025Green and Gold 2025: Amateur Boxing’s International Gathering in Bolivia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Sep 2025Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 16 Sep 2025SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Sep 2025Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
Tue, 16 Sep 2025Smarts over power
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Sep 2025HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
Tue, 16 Sep 2025Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
Tue, 16 Sep 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 15 Sep 2025