MANILA, Philippines 鈥 Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the official disclosed Friday during the Senate Committee on Finance鈥檚 hearing for the Department of Labor and Employment鈥檚 budget next year.
鈥淯na po, ang aking paghingi ng taimtim at matapat聽 na pag-unawa sa hindi pagdalo physically sa mahalagang pulong ngayong hapon鈥︹ Laguesma, who attended the hearing online, said said in his opening statement.
(First of all, I am asking for your sincere and honest understanding of my inability to attend this important meeting physically.)
鈥淪a kasamaang palad po, hanggang kahapon po ng hapon, ay positibo pa rin po ang aking resulta sa aking RT-PCR,鈥 he added.
(Unfortunately, until yesterday afternoon, my RT-PCR yielded positive results.)
The DOLE has a proposed P25.899-billion budget聽for 2023.
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