COVID-19 infected Baste not exposed to Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is concerned about the condition of his son Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, also known as Baste, who tested positive for COVID-19, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said yesterday.

“Of course the President is concerned as a father. Although one thing for the vice mayor is he is young and strong. The immune system is really the one fighting COVID-19,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. told a press briefing.

Roque said the President did not have close contact with his youngest son.

In an interview over dzRH, Roque said the vice mayor is “OK and healthy.”

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio confirmed on Facebook on Wednesday that the vice mayor contracted the virus. She said members of her family had to contend with video calls after learning about her brother’s condition.

Carpio shared a photo of the President, the vice mayor, her brother Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and their mother Elizabeth Zimmerman in a video call.