ACT-CIS Rep. Yap explains reason for going to work despite testing for COVID-19

ACT-CIS party-list Representative Eric Go Yap on Thursday said he pushed through with his work despite having tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection because he had no symptoms of the illness until he found out he was positive.

In a phone interview with GMA News, Yap said he took the test for COVID-19 after he came in contact with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on March 10, during a hearing of the House Committee on Appropriation, which he chaired.

News came out then that Tugade had been exposed to a person who turned out positive for COVID-19. Out of panic, Yap said he immediately took the test on March 15 hoping that the result would be released only after a few days and he could continue with his work.

Tugade later on tested negative for COVID-19, but by that time, Yap said he had already taken the test.

Other than Tugade, Yap said he does not know anyone whom he came in contact with that had a possible exposure to the disease.

Yap's test result only came out on Wednesday evening, 10 days after he took it, and it turned out positive.

"Itong ginawa ko ay para hindi magpasikat, hindi para pumunta sa party, mamulitika. Ginawa ko yung alam kong trabaho ko. Then, yung mga quarantine protocols, lahat yun sinunod ko," Yap said.

"Nag-negative si Sec. Art Tugade, so wala naman akong nakasalamuhang nag-positive. Kasi kung ganun pati si Speaker dapat, hindi na rin siya pumasok. Pati si Senate President, hindi na rin dapat siya pumasok dahil may nag-positive sa Senate. So paano yung batas natin? Paano yung 18 million families na nangangailangang makakain ngayong enhanced community quarantine?" he added.

Acid reflux

Yap said that before taking the test, he has already been experiencing mild cough since January. But it appears that it was only acid reflux.

"Meron kasing nangyari sa akin, parang nasusuka ako, kaya acid reflux. So sinasabi niya meron pang mga iba diyan, uubo ka lang pero hindi madalang, bihira lang yun. Pero hindi araw-araw," he added.

Yap said it was only in the evening of March 23, during the House special session, that he experienced what could have been the symptoms of COVID-19.

"Nung Monday, March 23, nung 9 p.m., giniginaw ako, yung kamay ko malamig. Nagpaalam ako kay Speaker kung pwede na akong mauna," he said.

"And then umuwi ako. Pero paglabas ko sa guard, nagpa-temperature ako, 36.5. Pag-uwi ko sa bahay, 36.5. Natulog ako, kinabukasan, nag-gym pa ako... Wala naman talaga akong nararamdaman kasi kung meron, wala kang ganang kumain, wala kang ganang magbuhat, mag-treadmill," he added.

Yap said he did not have himself admitted to the hospital because his symptoms were only mild.

"Kulang din kasi sa hospital space ngayon e. Pero ang sabi naman, since hindi pa malala yung symptoms ko, bantayan ko muna yung sarili ko, monitor ko lang. Then kapag may problema, tawag ako," he added.

Yap also responded to criticisms that he took the COVID-19 test without even having symptoms.

"Kung ako lang, na-expose ako, katulad lang kay Sec. Art, nagpa-test ako, kasi gusto ko ng peace of mind," he said.

"Wala tayong kalalagyan na tama. Basta natanggap ko na ito, kapag pulitiko ka lagi kang mali. Pero okay lang yun, ganun talaga yun," he added.

Yap, in an earlier statement, apologized and asked for understanding from the individuals he came in came in contact with.

"Mas nag-ingat tayo dahil wala pang resulta ang test ko. Those who know me personally know that I practice good personal hygiene. But it didn’t spare me from this virus," he said.

"Wala pong kinikilalang pulitika, kapangyarihan, o kayamanan ang sakit na ito. Pantay pantay po tayong lahat. Kung gusto nating sugpuin ang pagkalat ng virus, kinakailangan na magkaisa tayo. Sama sama, kaya natin ito," he added. — RSJ, GMA News