Sotto: No one tested positive for COVID-19 among senators, Senate staff present during DND budget deliberations

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday disclosed that all those present during last week's budget deliberations tested negative for COVID-19.

It was on November 16 when the proposed budget for the Department of National Defense was tackled. DND chief Delfin Lorenzana, who was present during the debates, tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the Senate to suspend budget discussions last Thursday.

This also prompted some senators and employees to get themselves tested for COVID-19.

"Negative lahat, including all Senate employees present last Tuesday," Sotto said in a message to reporters.

On Friday, Lorenzana announced that his confirmatory COVID-19 test yielded a negative result.

The Senate resumed its deliberations for the P5.024 trillion proposed budget on Monday morning. — RSJ, GMA News