Some Cabinet members tested negative for COVID-19; to attend Duterte’s SONA at Batasang Pambansa

July 27, 2020

Some Cabinet officials will attend President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address on Monday afternoon after they tested negative for coronavirus disease.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque all tested negative for COVID-19 and are expected to be present at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City to personally witness the President's fifth SONA.

Guevarra, in a text message to reporters, said he underwent a swab test in Malacañang on Sunday and tested negative for the virus.

In the case of Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, he said he also tested negative.

However, he said he is still under quarantine since three of his close in production staff were tested positive for COVID-19.

Roque earlier said that 15 slots have been allotted for Cabinet officials at the House of Representatives.

Some 50 slots have been given to both members of the Senate and House. The rest are allotted for the members of the Presidential Security Group.

Duterte is set to deliver his SONA at 4pm Monday. Celerina Monte/DMS