Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya and nine others, including some councilors, who joined Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on a trip to Japan last week have also tested positive for COVID-19.
The group returned to the Philippines on Monday, November 7.
Benitez had himself tested for COVID-19 on their arrival for a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos and the result was positive.
Gasataya said he along with the city councilors, barangay captains, and their Team Asenso Bacolod allies who joined Benitez on the trip immediately self-isolated and also had themselves tested for COVID-19.
The congressman said he has been in self-isolation since Monday and is okay. He is still attending congressional hearings online, Gasataya said.
The city councilors who joined the Japan trip also attended their regular Sangguniang Panlungsod session on Wednesday via Zoom.
Councilor Thaddy Sayson said he had very mild COVID-19. “I had no fever, just a sore throat,” he said, adding that he has self-isolated and recovered.
All the time he was just in Japan he wore a mask, he said.
He would have not realized that he had COVID-19 if he were not tested, Sayson said.
Former Councilor Caesar Distrito said he tested negative but his mother, Councilor Simple Distrito, tested positive. She had very mild symptoms, he said.
Distrito said Gasataya and the nine others who tested positive were in good condition and the majority were asymptomatic.
“It goes to show that if you are vaccinated and also had booster shots you are well protected,” he added.
Some of those who tested positive asked not to be named.*