Bacolod lawmaker, 9 city execs catch COVID-19

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Bacolod lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya and nine other city government officials who joined Mayor Alfredo Benitez in a trip to Japan last week have tested positive for COVID.

Eight incumbent councilors, 16 barangay captains, former councilors and a former Negros Occidental board member also joined the trip.

Gasataya said he is not experiencing any symptom.  He said he is in self-isolation and continues to attend congressional committee hearings via Zoom.

Benitez was the first to find out that he was infected. He was supposed to meet President Marcos at Malacañang on Monday when he tested positive for the virus.

Benitez said he has mild symptoms.