MANILA, Philippines (Updated March 26 at 10:14 a.m.) — Rep. Eric Go Yap (ACT-CIS party-list) is positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), he disclosed on Wednesay.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share to all of you that I tested positive for coronavirus," he said.

According to Yap, he had himself tested on March 15 and was called about the results only on Wednesday, ten days after he was tested.

"After [the test], it was business as usual for me but I was careful as always," he said.

It is not clear if he was asymptomatic at the time he was tested, though the lawmaker said that he felt the need to get tested because he had come into contact with people who were exposed to confirmed cases.

Meeting at Palace, House special session

Yap acknowledged he had gone to work regardless of his concerns. On March 21, he said, he attended a meeting at the Palace, at which point his test results had not yet been released.

"I attended the meeting and was careful the whole time knowing na I could potentially be a carrier of the virus," he said.

On Monday, he attended the House special session tackling the chief executive's bid for emergency powers.

"I would like to ask for forgiveness and understanding from the people I interacted with. I was paranoid because I felt a slight cough, but I felt it was normal for me. We took extra caution because my test results had not returned. Those who know me personally know that I practice good personal hygiene. But it didn’t spare me from this virus," he wrote.

"Stop going out and stop socializing; “lower risk” does not mean “no risk”. This is a minor setback for me but it will not stop me from fulfilling my duties and responsibilities."

During a break at the special session at the House of Representatives on Monday, lawmakers and Cabinet officials held up a paper banner urging people to stay at home.

Bong Go in quarantine

Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, who attended a meeting with Yap last Saturday, March 22, said that while he is not experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, he is going to be in self-quarantine.

"I am left with no choice but to comply," Go said in a statement. He added that he will continue attending to his duties "in a manner that will not put others at risk."

He said contact tracing is being done particularly of those who attended the gathering. — Franco Luna